Digital detox: Safeguarding mental health and well-being

If you find yourself easily succumbing to feelings of anxiety, depression, or constant agitation when separated from gadgets or obsessing over the number of likes on each post, it’s high time to consider a digital detox.

Similar to detoxifying the body to eliminate harmful toxins that can compromise organ function and weaken the immune system, a digital detox offers a crucial ‘timeout’ from gadgets, enabling us to rejuvenate our minds and safeguard our mental wellbeing.

Influencer Wan Nur Aqilah Shahirah Wan Lokman, 25, has shared her struggle with career pressure, particularly in handling the thousands of comments she received, especially negative ones.

Choosing to break free from the grip of uncertain emotions, Nur Aqilah took the decisive step to practise digital detox after reading an article about it to ease the strains of gadget dependency and regain balance in her daily life.

“When I spend too much time on social media, I get restless because I like comparing other people’s lives. But, after four years of practising digital detox, I feel more focused, productive, and calm,” she told Bernama.

The radio presenter highlighted that during her hiatus from the digital world, she discovered numerous activities to engage in, such as spending quality time with her family or doing household chores.

Echoing the same sentiment, psychologist Assoc Prof Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali said individuals encouraged to undertake digital detox are typically those who spend excessive time on devices – exceeding eight hours a day – without deriving any benefits from it.

The senior lecturer in the Clinical Psychology and Behavioural Health Programme at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia cautioned that an obsession with smart devices or any gadget poses a genuine threat to an individual’s overall quality of life.

“The practice of digital detox can stabilise one’s emotions and thoughts, leading to improved sleep quality and ultimately promoting mental health,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Dandaithapani Thyagarajan, a psychiatrist at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, said the duration of a digital detox varies based on individual needs, generally starting with a three-day period, followed by an extended week to ensure mental and emotional stability.

He said individuals can determine the necessary duration for digital detox by evaluating their emotions post-detox, observing whether feelings of fear or depression have lessened or vice versa.

“Adopting this method helps individuals control their gadget usage patterns and reduce the risk of addiction,” he said. — Bernama