Holidays should be the time of year when we slow down and gather new strength and energy.
But getting down to speed can be difficult, and a culprit in the drama is that we are constantly connected.
Job coach Nina Jansdotter gives her tips on how to become digitally detoxed.
The vast majority of us have jobs that more or less revolve around a computer screen with demands that we are constantly available by phone and email. The tools are there to facilitate the work, but during holidays they can rather overturn when SMS and email notifications remind us of the work.
– There are quite a few who neither want nor can relax in their lives. However, we can slow down and have a different approach to email and social media on vacation, if we want to, says job coach and behavioral scientist Nina Jansdotter.
Need to practice being more impolite
Many people probably recognize themselves in replying to an email or SMS as soon as they receive it. According to Nina Jansdotter, during the holidays we have to train away the reflex to respond immediately.
– Often it’s not urgent, it’s not like it’s on fire and you have to respond.
7 tips on how to relax and unwind
Gradually scale back your digital presence to get used to being more offline.
Turn off sound and display notifications and uninstall apps that constantly distract you.
Tell colleagues and friends that you are going on vacation and will be offline. Use autoresponders on your mobile phone and also inform through social media if you are active there.
Set aside specific times to use social media, read and respond to email, instead of doing it several times an hour as you may be used to.
Spend time outdoors in nature to reduce stress and enjoy the moment instead of constantly being busy with your phone.
Perform activities such as yoga, mindfulness or similar to become more present and avoid pointless scrolling.
Ask for alternative contact information for the people you usually communicate with on social media and consider meeting in person instead of just hanging out online.
Have you decided on a digital detox but know that it can be difficult to keep that promise. Ask those around you to remind you – but kindly and without pointing sticks.