A digital detox that lasts

How do you digitally detox during your holidays?

A better question is how to detox so its effect does not wane (as soon as you come back/switch your phone back on).

Here is how to make positive detox results stick. Recover a long-forgotten well-being baseline and migrate it from the holiday sandbox to the “daily grind.”

Standard Detox (1): An escape (limiting device use/reach)

This is an easy and obvious one – all of the conducive conditions are there for you:
– an escape from notifications (and triggers that go with them)
– no dopamine/cortisol baseline shifts (during mindless scrolling)
– inactive psychological dependencies (activated by simply knowing your device is around and online)
…
You can virtually bathe in distractions. Physically wash away the chemical trail of stress and alertness. Finally, regain relative calm and clarity.

But this is where it usually ends.

Now, the Pro version:

Pro Detox (2): using the escape to prevent future stress

The escape creates a sandbox. You can finally clear the issues that drain you when your phone (or any triggering event) is on.

Use Emotional Hygiene and Mind Training:

1. Do the inventory of past situations that caused stress.

2. Switch your self-awareness on and make sure your mind engages with these experiences constructively (no destructive emotions and thoughts).

3. If not – process as per your practice toolbox (label, reappraise, etc.).

It’s not just an investment if the “future you.” Imagine the insights, closures, and realizations (added to your normal baking at the beach or a glass of wine). What can compete with that?! 😉

You do not have a toolbox of practices yet? You are in for a treat. The whole world is going to start changing for you. Simply start learning.

Not sure where to start – check the RechargeLane roadmap and practices I use.

Post-pro-detox tips:

1. Watch for the old/residual habits when you are back in your usual context. Stop “the old you” if needed. It is now “the new you” — with new responses and perceptions.

2. Allow for the buffer time. Do not be seduced by the full battery and jump into doing as much work as you can. Give yourself time for the integration of new skills. If you are successful, the new reality and habits will set in.

3. Different interactions. The new you may experience different responses from people around you. If you see them differently, they may start treating you differently.

4. New opportunities. You are no longer in a box. You can see beyond the limitations you have cleared on the vacation. Be open to new opportunities that were not available to you before.

Thank you, and have a good one! 😎