Sanju Samson switched off phone and social media to not lose self-belief: How it works wonders

Kerala's Sanju Samson's match-winning knock at the T20 World Cup game against the West Indies yesterday is the talk of the town. Sanju's career, which had numerous ups, downs, and lean patches, has brought him bouquets and brickbats alike, and apparently, he dealt with the situation by going on a digital detox to stay confident. The Indian opener said that he shuts his social media accounts and phone to not lose self-belief. This practice of taking a digital detox, where you take a break from electronic devices or media for a certain period of time, can go a long way toward reducing stress, improving sleep, mood, and even relationships. 

According to Psychologist Kia-Rai Preweitt of the Cleveland Clinic, the most popular form of digital detox is staying away from social media. Here are the other forms of technology people avoid while on a digital detox:
1) Watching the news and TV programmes
2) Smartphones and tablets
3) Text messages
4) Emails
5) Watching reels
6) Video games

How digital detox helps
The psychologist says that a digital detox helps figure out whether technology is getting in the way of you living your life. The benefits of the technology timeout include:
1) Improved focus
2) Quality social connections
3) Reduced stress
4) Doing away with the social media reflux

Frequently Asked Questions
1) How to know whether I need a digital detox?
If you have the following symptoms, you will benefit from a digital detox: constant insecurity, bad mood, irritability, anger, frustration, interrupted sleep, and a sense of being obligated to respond to and consume content frequently. Also, if you have repeated urges to ignore responsibilities and spend time online, you need a digital detox. 

2) How to start a digital detox?
Identify the issue you want a solution for. Is it your smartphone addiction? Is it the news stressing you out? Is social media increasing your insecurities? Based on what you identify, set a specific goal to reduce its usage. For example, instead of checking social media every other second, decide that you will only use it for 15-20 minutes. Try it for two weeks and analyse your progress. Make changes as required.

3) What if I lose motivation?
Team up with a friend or family member for support and encouragement to practice digital detox effectively. You can assess each other's progress and give feedback too.