Feeling tired lately? That might be a sign you need a digital detox

I am Kumataro Yokoyama, a training instructor and sign language interpreter.

While utilizing AI, I provide information for seniors and introduce books and gadgets.

Smartphones and computers are now indispensable parts of our lives.

Communicating.

Looking things up.

Working.

Shopping.

Learning.

It is likely that many people spend most of their day with digital devices.

However, while they have become more convenient, do you ever feel "somehow tired," "unable to concentrate," or "restless"?

At such times, it might be a sign that you need a digital detox.

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox means taking a break from digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media for a certain period to let your mind and brain rest.

You do not need to stop using them completely.

What is important is to consciously adjust your distance from digital devices.

Modern people are constantly exposed to information.

Checking your smartphone when you wake up, staring at a computer while working, and browsing social media during breaks.

Before you know it, your brain has no time to rest.

Be careful if you have these symptoms

Digital fatigue manifests in surprising ways.

For example,

・You don't feel happy even when looking at social media

・You pick up your smartphone immediately after putting it down

・You cannot maintain concentration

・You cannot finish reading a book

・You feel restless unless you are constantly looking at something

・You look at your smartphone right until you go to sleep

・You are bothered by notification sounds

If these states continue, your brain may be suffering from information overload.

We are bombarded with more information than we imagine

In the past, it was an era where we went out to find the information we wanted to know ourselves.

But now it is different.

News.

Social media.

Videos.

Advertisements.

Emails.

Chats.

Information comes at us one thing after another.

While things have become more convenient, a massive amount of information flows in front of us before we can even choose it ourselves.

Because the brain keeps processing it, fatigue accumulates without us even realizing it.

A digital detox is not difficult

"Quit your smartphone for a week"

There is no need to do anything that extreme.

In fact, it won't last.

What I recommend is a small detox.

For example,

・Don't look at your smartphone while eating

・Don't look at a screen 30 minutes before going to bed

・Keep your smartphone in your pocket while walking

・Reduce notifications

・Create a time on your day off where you don't touch your smartphone for just one hour

Even just doing this will give your brain a significant rest.

Changes I have experienced

I myself sometimes find myself constantly looking at social media and the news.

Especially when I'm working on writing articles, I end up looking at my smartphone indefinitely under the guise of "gathering information."

However, when I consciously distance myself from it, something strange happens.

My mind becomes quiet.

Your thoughts will become clearer.

Your concentration will return.

And you will be able to focus on what is truly important.

It might feel less like gaining time by not using digital devices, and more like reclaiming yourself.

Digital detox is also effective for learning sign language

I would also like to recommend it to sign language learners.

Visual learning is very important.

However, learning will not stick if you only keep watching videos.

Time to organize what you have seen.

Time to think.

Time to summarize it out loud.

You need that kind of "time with no input."

Neither learning nor gathering information will help you grow if you just cram it all in.

It is precisely because there is time to rest that the brain can organize and deepen its understanding.

Summary

We live in a convenient age.

That is exactly why it is sometimes necessary to consciously stop and pause.

Feeling tired lately.

Cannot concentrate.

Feeling restless.

At times like that, instead of trying harder, please try putting your smartphone down for a while.

A digital detox is not about disconnecting from information.

I believe it is a time to reclaim your true self.

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#seniorlife #organizingyourlife #wellbeing