17 Signs you need a digital detox

Read time: 3 Minutes

As a society, we are becoming more and more attached to and reliant on our mobile devices. In Ireland, 87% of people have internet access, with 90% of those using the internet on a daily basis – that’s a 9 percentage point increase on 2013!

Of course, it’s hard NOT to be so attached to our devices when they do so much for us. Everything from the basics like staying in contact, to finding our way with Google maps, storing train tickets, and allowing us to access valuable information on the spot, like reviews to the best local restaurants. It’s hard to imagine leaving the house without one, if the worst happens and it’s lost or broken there’s a genuine sense of urgency to find a replacement ASAP.

As convenient as our devices are they can be detrimental to our health, welling being and family lives. Experts say digital devices are interfering with our sleep cycles and causing us to gain weight. While research by Dolmio found 72% of family arguments steam from devices at the dinner table.

Do the below symptoms sound familiar? If so it could be time to take a break from your devices.

Panic sets in when you can’t find your phone
You sleep with your phone close to you because you can’t bear to miss out
Every time something happens in your life, your first instinct is to share it online.
Your first move when you arrive anywhere is to take a selfie
If you didn’t post it on Facebook did it even really happen?
Your addiction is causing blurred vision, back pain and headaches but still you can’t step away
Waiting on someone to text back for more than 5 minutes feels like a form of torture
You spend more time “socialising” online than in real-life
And when you do go out you can’t stay off your phone
You spend so much time online you fail to get anything done, missing your goals every time
You feel depressed looking at everyone’s “perfect” lives
Social media is your first and last thought each day
You find it difficult to ignore emails & switch off from work
You’ve lost awareness of what’s going on around you.
You are addicted to portraying the perfect life and get a buzz out of likes
You constantly experience phantom phone vibrations
Being out with your battery below 20% feels like life on the edge