Digital Fatigue — Yes, It’s Real And Here Is The Solution!

Do you often feel low and depleted after a day of being behind a screen? Let’s explore what is Digital Fatigue and how can we deal with it?

TLDR : Even if you don’t want to read the whole thing, just check out the bonus tip at the end of the page :)

What is Digital Fatigue?

The term is used to describe a state of mental exhaustion caused by the excessive use of digital devices. It’s not a new discovery but it’s been brought to the forefront since the Covid-19 pandemic. From working from home, to staying entertained and connected with others, our screen time has never been so high.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Digital Fatigue:

• low energy levels and mood
• lack of motivation
• difficulty concentrating
• feeling anxious or overwhelmed
• sore, watery, or irritated eyes
• difficulty falling asleep
• pain and discomfort in neck, shoulders and back.

What can we do about Digital Fatigue?

✅Regular Breaks : Take regular breaks to avoid exhaustion and recharge yourself. You might want to do some stretching or deep breathing or any other restorative technique of your choice.

✅No-screen hours : It’s very important to wind down after a long day of work. At least 1 hour before bedtime, go offline, withdraw yourself from the world. Take a nice warm shower, do some deep breathing. No screen, no phone, no work, nothing— Just shut off the world and give yourself some well needed rest.

Note : Does it mean we have to ignore our responsibilities? What if there is an emergency? Well, that’s not the point. There may be some days where you have to work late and take care of certain things. That’s okay, but on a daily basis, if you keep exposing yourself to the pings, dings and buzz of the online world especially before bedtime, it will create havoc for your wellbeing and mental energy.

✅Offline “Recreational” activities : Before you start binge-watching a new Netflix series or dive into Instagram reels or YouTube after a long day working behind a screen, it’s worth considering another way to unwind that is easy on the eye and doesn’t simply add to digital fatigue. And ideally something that really restores your mental energy.

Bonus Tip!

✅My “Weekend Digital Detox” —

This is something that I do every weekend. At the end of your work-week, turn off the internet connection, switch off your phone and laptop, say goodbye to your digital devices and cut off from the world for a day or at least half-a-day. Don’t worry! The world won’t go anywhere 😅. Take a nice shower and enjoy a calm, silent evening!!! (Works wonders for me!)

If anything urgent comes up, people can always find other ways to reach you. And, after all, what is more URGENT than your mental wellbeing?

✅If possible, do a full day Digital Detox once every week or at least twice a month. Try it out and if it works, give a clap to my post, drop a little comment and share it to your friends. I’d really appreciate it!❤