Time away from technology

Sometimes technology and social media can be a lifeline but sometimes they can be completely overwhelming and it feels like notifications and messages are never ending.

When we feel like we are constantly attached to everyone and all that is happening in the wider world it can become exhausting.  That’s one of the reasons why lots of people find time away from social media a really important part of their daily self-care (even if it does feel weird at first!)

As much as I love my phone and everything I use it for I feel like I’d be much less anxious without it. I have to be really strict with myself sometimes and just turn it off for a bit because I can get kind of addicted.

There are, ironically, a range of apps which can help you manage your use of technology if you feel you spend too much time on social media.            

I find that I sleep better when I stop looking at my phone earlier in the evening.

                          

What young people have told us:

'Yes, 100%. It gives you time to do other things, be happy be calm and be technology free. its the best way to be :)

'It is so easy to get tied down to your phone or other forms of technology. By taking a break and living in the moment, you can find your brain becomes uncluttered and you feel more refreshed.'

'You may think your phone is essential and without it there is nothing to do, but just see how it feels to take yourself away from it for a bit, it doesn't have to be for long but can make a whole lot of difference.'

'I could focus on my direct surroundings, real necessities and have time and enough calm to think and reflect by myself. When connected to technology, I easily get distracted and lose focus and purpose on what I'm doing. Sometimes I even feel like killing time instead of directing it to a purposeful end.'

'It helps as you are able to detox from it - if you can just have some time on your own without friends messaging you or watching a program you can feel more uplifted. Also the accomplishment of not using your phone for a few hours can really make you feel stronger and more able.'

'Go ahead and try it for yourself; think what you use it for and how it impacts your daily activities and relationships. That might help to decide when to disconnect.'

'It helps as you are able to detox from it - if you can just have some time on your own without friends messaging you or watching a program you can feel more uplifted. Also the accomplishment of not using your phone for a few hours can really make you feel stronger and more able.'

There isn’t much academic research in the area of self-care for young people who are living with mental health issues. We are trying to find out more about what works for different people so we can better advise other young people what to try.

If you’ve tried this activity when you were struggling in relation to your mental health, please let us know if it helped you and how by clicking on the ‘Did this activity help you’ button.