4 Benefits of a digital detox when you work in social media

This blog is written by Kerry Watkins, founder and managing director of Social for Good. Kerry, along with 5 other digital wellbeing specialists, spent 3 days in a remote hotel in Northern Spain without smartphones or laptops to explore restoring focus and attention.

3 Days without any technology: appealing or daunting?

I had mixed feelings. I liked the idea of it in principle but also it made me feel very uncomfortable. So for that reason, I thought I’d better give it a go and see what happened.

I’ve always thought that because I work in social media, I can’t be one of those people who take breaks from social. And, because I run a social agency, I always need to be available online. But a few days off is hardly living off-grid. Mindset adjusted!

The trip involved handing over our smartphones while setting intentions for what we hoped that would achieve (I joked that my goal was to have a ‘genius idea’), lots of walking in nature, amazing food and wine, stimulating conversations, the odd lecture and plenty of self-reflection and journaling.

The incredible view from our hotel, in Tavertet, Catalunya.

So what did I learn?

1. There are more hours in the day without a smartphone ⏳

Our phones are extremely useful and efficient tools for many aspects of life (banking, shopping, coordinating diaries, communication…) but they also suck time. Big time.

Most of our phone ‘pick ups’ throughout the day are through habit rather than intention and we don’t spend long on each pick up. Have you ever noticed reaching for your phone, unlocking it and then wondering what you meant to do with it? It’s easily done.

Without my smartphone, I felt my downtime was way more relaxing - I exercised more, read more and talked to other humans more. The days felt longer (in a good way) and we achieved more in each day than I would ever plan in a normal day at home.

We spent hours walking through the Catalunya countryside without any tech (thanks to the fabulous Ellen Gilbert for capturing these views).

2. Smartphones can deny us the time to properly process thoughts and feelings 🚫

One big surprise was the emotional rollercoaster we went through. I really didn’t expect to feel so emotional at times without my smartphone.

Because smartphones and the apps on them employ persuasive (or addictive) design, we tend to reach for them whenever we feel uncomfortable, bored, lonely or anxious. And because we get a dopamine rush every time we do, that easily becomes an unconscious habit. (See previous point!)

I expected to get some great rest but instead had broken sleep with vivid dreams. Something was obviously trying to surface, I was told.

During those 3 days, whenever I felt bored, lonely or a bit anxious I had to just sit with it. I can’t remember the last time I had to do that. It did not feel nice. I’m so used to keeping myself busy with something, often on my phone.

We had some incredible long walks in beautiful forests and old towns, and spent a lot of that time in silence, reflecting on how we were feeling, or journaling.

By the end of the trip, I’d processed a lot and had some really powerful ‘aha' moments. Very therapeutic.

That’s me, standing on a cliff edge deep in thought, without a phone in my hand.

3. Human connection is better without a smartphone around 💛

The lack of smartphones forced us to be present and connect with each other.

It sounds like a cliche, but I feel like I made friends for life during that short trip. We shared something that, in today’s busy world, is very rare. More eye contact, more exploratory conversation, more focus and active listening.

When did you last do something with other people with no smartphones around?

With strangers or with loved ones, I think we sometimes lose ourselves in our phones and neglect connecting with what’s in front of us.

4. A break from tech can make us more creative and inspired ✨

The cumulative effect of no tech, walking miles in nature, daily swims and proper downtime was very powerful.

On the final day, my brain felt - the only way I can describe it - ‘sparkly’. I felt a sense of calm and real clarity like I’d had some kind of neurological spring clean.

And, much to my delight, on the bus to the airport I finally had my genius idea 🙌. (watch this space - more to come in 2024).

That energy and the feeling of my brain feeling really alive is by far my biggest takeaway from the trip. If I can feel that awake, ambitious, capable and excited after 3 days without my smartphone, think what I could do if I took a week off?!

What now?

I’ve decided to find time for mini digital detoxes in 2024, even if it’s just a day here and there, to give my head the space to process thoughts and feelings, to look up and be present with what and who is around me, and to give myself the clarity of intellect to be inspired and creative.

Looking up in the forest near Tavertet (although obviously, you don’t need to be on a digital detox in Spain to look up and be present in nature!).

Social media is a fast-changing landscape that requires us to learn and work fast and to be innovative in our approach. It is never-ending and can be as stressful as it is rewarding.

💡 For those of you who work in social, I highly recommend taking short tech breaks to give your brain a rest, break unhealthy scrolling habits and give you the headspace to be more creative, innovative and brilliant at what you do.

I don’t believe that to be at the top of your game you need to be on social all the time. I believe you’ll get there by looking after your wellbeing first.

If you’re interested in discussing digital wellbeing training or coaching for you or your marketing team, drop me a message. Kerry 😊