Embracing Digital Habits for a Happier Life: 4 Key Practices

Chapter 1: The Importance of Digital Wellness

In today's world, cultivating healthy digital habits is crucial. It's essential to be conscious of our tech usage and its impact on our well-being.

It's not about completely cutting off from your phone—many have heard that advice before. I once deleted an Instagram account with over 11,500 followers, and it was a transformative experience that drew me closer to my true self. However, I'm not suggesting you take such drastic steps.

These four habits can significantly improve your mindset, help you feel more competent when using apps, and enable you to enjoy the time spent online.

Section 1.1: Your Digital Influence

We've often heard that we become like the five people we spend the most time with. In the digital age, this extends to the numerous accounts we follow online.

Our thoughts generate an internal dialogue. This dialogue shapes our self-perception, which in turn influences our actions. Ultimately, our actions sculpt our reality.

To summarize:

Negative thoughts about your life can skew your perspective.
This perspective can lead to a self-image rooted in inadequacy, affecting your self-esteem and overall behavior.

A negative mental environment never yields positive outcomes.

What You Can Do:

Unfollow accounts that don't add value to your life. If you're concerned about offending someone, the mute function is a great alternative.

Section 1.2: The Dopamine Dilemma

How much is too much when it comes to technology? The guidelines are often ambiguous.

After I deleted my Instagram, I realized how much happiness I derived from the likes and notifications—it's a dopamine rush. Each like felt rewarding, but once the app was gone, I was left without that instant gratification.

You shouldn't rely on immediate happiness from your phone, as this craving can lead to a cycle of addiction to notifications.

What You Can Do:

Monitor your usage to establish a healthy relationship with your devices.
Enable screen time features on your phone.
Set limits on social media apps.
Track your online hours using tools like Clockify.

Chapter 2: Be Mindful of Your Time

Reflect on why you're on specific platforms. Are you there solely because your friends are?

Being selective about how you spend your digital time is crucial. There’s no extra time in life; every minute spent scrolling takes away from real-life experiences—unless that time serves a purpose.

What You Can Do:

You’re not obligated to use every platform. Choose the ones that benefit you and limit your engagement.

I deleted my Instagram but became more active on Twitter, which has been advantageous for my writing career and business growth.

Section 2.1: Prioritizing Mental Health

Excessive technology use is so normalized that we often overlook its downsides. It's akin to smoking in a room full of smokers—everyone does it, but it’s not right.

After stepping back, I realized how much mental clutter I had accumulated.

What You Can Do:

Clean up your feed; your brain isn’t designed to process hundreds of images daily.
Limit Instagram usage to 30 minutes weekly.
Schedule time for both relevant and irrelevant social media.
Consider deleting apps after each session.

Lastly

Some of these suggestions may seem extreme, especially since many are accustomed to the opposite approach. I recall outings where everyone was busy snapping photos while I waited patiently.

However, even implementing just one of these habits can significantly boost your mental health.

You don’t have to take my word for it—trust the science. The advantages of stepping back from this chaotic digital world can be felt almost immediately. Perhaps this is the mental break you’ve been longing for?

Watch this video titled "How to Be Happy Again (1/3): 4 Habits to be Happier in 1 Month," which outlines simple habits you can adopt to enhance your happiness.

Check out "10 HABITS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE (and made me happier!)" for more insights on transforming your daily routines for a better mindset.