It’s nice to enjoy a break over the summer months, however when you own or manage a business, it can be challenging to unwind when you have a device in your pocket buzzing away every couple of minutes.
Even those who manage to resist taking work away with them and checking work emails while on holiday, can spend a lot of time on a digital device. When you are constantly using your phone or tablet, you may not be able to fully enjoy time with your loved ones or appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. It's important to disconnect and be present in the moment.
Digital addiction
It’s not an overstatement to say that during our everyday lives, we are glued to our devices. The average person spends around 5 and a half hours a day on their phone – that’s over 2 months over the course of 1 year.
We also tend to check our phones around 8 times an hour on average - almost once every 8 minutes. Just over half of Australians (50.65%) consider themselves addicted to their phones. Combined with the amount of time we spend on tablets, laptops and other devices it’s clear we generally spend a lot of time in front of a screen.
A vacationing trend
A new trend that may help to navigate our online addictions is known as a ‘digital detox’ holiday.
Resorts and lifestyle destinations have got on board, with many offering wellness packages that provide a break from the fast pace of online life with no phones, texts, emails, social media use or web browsing for the duration of your stay.
You don’t have to fly to an internet black spot or sign up for a digital detox retreat to get the benefits though. Doing your own digital detox can be as simple as switching your phone to aeroplane mode or turning your devices off for a designated time every day or for a period of time.
Breaking free
The benefits of getting away from your screen, even if it’s just for a short break, are numerous but the main benefit of having a proper digital detox is reducing stress. If your phone or tablet isn't buzzing, beeping or vibrating in your pocket or hand every few minutes, you start to breathe deeper and slow down.
Another plus of having a break from your device is the way it can affect the quality of your interactions with others. If you are not staring at your screen, you open up opportunities to engage more with those around you. That means better quality time connecting with friends and family.
If you are a solo traveller, it can be challenging to not have the safety blanket of a phone in your hand, however there is something special about being more aware of your surroundings and taking in the little moments as they happen, without distractions.
Open to offline discovery
While tech can certainly make travel smoother in many ways, going phone free can open up opportunities for discovery. While it’s tempting to grab your phone to check your work emails, Google score of every restaurant you pass or use Maps to locate local attractions, it can be satisfying stumbling across a great little eating place tucked away down a laneway or finding a wonderful local market on your travels.
When it comes to sharing your discoveries, you could also try keeping it offline. Instead of snapping moments to share immediately on social media, knowing you are going to be constantly distracted checking how your posts are being received, try to treasure those moments as they happen.
Whether you digitally detox for a few hours a day, a few days, or the duration of the holidays, your vacation will benefit from you unplugging for a bit. Who knows, you may even find some of your good digital detoxing habits follow you into the New Year.
At Nexia Australia we’re your trusted business and financial partner – if you have any concerns that may arise during your holidays, speak with your local adviser on how we can help you navigate any potential challenges.
