Do Yourself This Favor: Tech Cleanup
New disorders have been named to accommodate the growing number of people addicted to specific technologies; World of Warcraft and other video games, Facebook, Smartphones at dinner, Candy Crush and more. Does anyone remember the most addictive Facebook game craze of all, Farmville? Most Americans can say that they would like to be less glued to their technology. Screen time is known to cause sleep disturbances, and with work becoming more and more mobile, it’s becoming more and more encroaching on our personal time. You can set limits, and a priming tech cleanse might be just what the doctor ordered to start living in the real world and online with balance. Follow the suggestions below for a successful tech cleanup.
outline your cleaning
Without a plan, you plan to fail. Tech cleanses are probably one of the hardest cleanses to endure because it is not a physical challenge, but a mental one. Decide how long you will be cleaning (usually 2-3 days or a week) and plan to start 2-3 days early so you don’t suddenly stop. Also set parameters of what technology you will get or when you will be able to use it. During this planning phase, decide where you want to spend your time. You’ll need this outline to refer to when you feel the itch, which brings us to the next point; prevention of delays.
relapse prevention
Decide why you are doing this technological cleanup and write your answer. Place this card somewhere you will see it daily as a reminder, or carry it with you at all times. I suggest you take a photo with your phone so you always have it, but during a tech cleanup, you may not have that luxury. Review your “why” when you feel “the itch.”
A few last important tips before you begin is to notify anyone who needs to know that you are performing a tech cleanup. They can be people you work with or work for, Facebook friends or groups you normally chat with, or people close to you who can help you during your cleanse. Prepare for your return to technology, too. One of the best ways to do this is to unsubscribe from any email subscriptions that no longer interest you. Review and uninstall unnecessary apps and turn off unnecessary notifications for apps you’re keeping. The last tip in this article is to learn how to use ‘Airplane Mode,’ which disables your phone’s ability to send or receive text messages, calls, or notifications. This mode can also sometimes be called flight mode, standalone mode, or offline mode and can be used in a number of situations. You can enable airplane mode when you don’t want to be disturbed, when you’re going to important meetings, to charge your battery faster, or to preserve the battery life you already have.