Ready for a digital detox?

Two people are having dinner Both are glued to their cell phones instead of speaking with each other Its a common sight While technology claims to be instrumental in connecting people it threatens to mar social skills interpersonal relationships and the need to switch offPeople are addicted to technology in various ways for example nomophobia mdash a fear of being without cell phones There are also various other technologyrelated disorders for instance Internet Addiction Disorder and Social Media Addiction which are a direct consequence of being addicted to technological gadgets informs psychotherapist and personal life coach Khyati BirlaPeople are glued to their mobile phones even during fun times like movies holidays family dinners or intimate moments Multitasking is the norm whereas research says humans are not physiologically wired to multitask for long without consequences People show signs of anxiety irritation frustration and depression when asked to switch off from technologyBeing distracted by frequent pings notifications from social media while being involved in a task that needs undivided attention driving working looking after your toddler invites bad psychological and life consequences feels BirlaWatch out for the signsAccording to consulting psychologist Maithili Thanawala it would be a premature decision to label anyone who spends a significant amount of time on technologyinternet as an addict as it is not only the time spent but also dysfunction in other aspects of life for example an impact on an individuals personalsocial life school work or office work They text shop play games log onto social media websites even during meetings class or family time parents check phones during breakfast time or at dinner Often this is referred to as the need to remain plugged inWe are beginning to master a skill of maintaining an eye contact while texting This is not only affecting how we relate to each other but also how we relate to our own selves We want to be with others butat the same time stay connected to many places We avoid conversations mainly because it takes place in real time and we cannot control what we are going to say It can get harmful if it goes out of control or leads to intense dependence she warnsPhantom in the roomThanawala addsPhantom Vibration Syndrome is a relatively newer psychological phenomenon where you feel your phone is buzzing when in reality it isnt Social media also triggers the release of the feelgood chemical dopamine in our brain Reward centres in the brain are much more active when people are talking about their own views as opposed to listening to othersThe same parts of the brain that are related to orgasms motivation and love are stimulated by social media use and even more so when you know you have an audience Technology was created to stay connected but now the boundaries are blurred We are available across platforms 24x7Thanawala maintains that nowadays switching off has become increasingly challenging and has already begun to affect relationships negatively She elaborates People have an urge to reach out to a device the moment they get metime Often there is an irresistible urge to check an unopened message or reply to a messageI see people clicking selfies posting status messages texting or replying to work emails on a break Somewhere the purpose of leisure is lost While on a break detox from technology Enjoy a break by being there completely mdash to allow your mind and body to rejuvenate and discover yourself and those around youHow to detoxClinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany suggests The best way to detox from gadgets on holiday is to avoid using the other features on the phone which are not required Imagine that its an ordinary phone to check and receive calls and not a smart phone By doing this you can reduce the obsession Indulging in writing reading and going on long walks will take your mind away from the phone Substitute phone activities with therapeutic activitiesPrioritise Consider whats more important mdash taking a phone call or spending time with your family Is it checking your email or talking to your friend Youre in control so you can choose to put technology in its place and put relationships first Encourage those who are trying Let them know that you value their thoughts and inputs When you notice that theyre paying attention try telling them you appreciate it concludes ThanawalaVir Das Actor Standup ComicI had a No Cell Phone rule at my wedding It forced people to stop tweeting Instagramming and actually have real human interaction Id much rather have another persons hand in mine than a cell phone with a photograph of that other person The only piece of technology I like on a holiday is airconditioningAnna Singh Fashion DesignerWhen Im abroad I have a local sim card I use it to connect with my dad and mominlaw who are old as I wish to be reached in case of an emergency I switch on my iPad and my data services once in five days to post a few interesting pictures from my travel or to let people know what is going on with meGautam Rode Television ActorI feel it is good to remain switched off while on holiday I try my best to stay away from gadgets on holidays to completely enjoy the place I am atDr Jaishree Sharad Cosmetic DermatologistWhenever I attend international conferences I only keep WhatsApp on WiFi So at the end of the day after the days work and sight seeing if any when I am back in my room I check my WhatsApp I direct all calls to my assistant who keeps me updated on email or WhatsApp These days I switch my phone off at family dinners I try to be with my family 100 for those two hours I have deleted Facebook from my cell phone The only social media on my phone is Twitter I keep all notifications off except Mr BachchansRed alertScientists have suggested a ban on gadget use at least two hours before we go to bed Even the ambient light of any gadget can disturb a persons sleep pattern If we dont sleep well this data processing by the brain is left incomplete Eventually this will hamper the cognitive functions the next day rendering people unable to think thereby leading to increased stress levels and low social and people skillsCourtesy Maithili Thanawala