Skiing as a digital detox

"The internet is like a buffet. It has everything, but we have to choose what we take."

We can't be without food. We can't be without the internet either. We use it for work, easy and fast communication, education, staying informed, entertainment, navigation, ordering, and many other things. It's well-known that we should consume only high-quality content online, the kind that benefits us, just as it's known that we should eat healthy food, but...

"Eat a kilogram of the purest meat with a kilogram of broccoli, and you'll end up nauseous and vomiting."

Excessive internet use, even for the healthiest purposes, leads to side effects. They can be physical, such as headaches, weakened vision, back or neck problems, but perhaps we should pay more attention to the psychological ones. Anxiety, depression, focus issues, feelings of alienation from people are just a few of the problems associated with excessive internet and electronic device usage. At that point, time spent online, instead of being useful, becomes toxic, and it's time to take action.

If we consume too much food, especially unhealthy food, the result quickly shows in the mirror. We see that something is wrong. We start a diet and detox. With the internet, it's much harder. Most of the time, we're not even aware of how overloaded we are with information until we remove it. Screentime is our mirror, but we still don't hang it on the wall in almost every room in the apartment.

What is digital detox and what is its purpose?

Digital detox is a deliberate process of disconnecting from the internet and electronic devices. This includes reducing or avoiding the use of smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices for a certain period. In short, a digital detox is a return to an offline mode.

By staying in an offline mode, we cleanse our mind, regenerate it, and make it healthier, just as we do for our bodies with healthy eating.

How to implement a digital detox?

Find your purpose. It's crucial to know what you want to achieve with a digital detox. Whether it's reducing stress, improving sleep, strengthening connections with loved ones, or something else, you decide. Finding your purpose on your own is essential. In that case, it will serve as your strongest motivator.

Be realistic. There are likely urgent moments or work situations when you simply have to use the internet. That's okay. Focus on things you can control.

Start gradually. Decide how long your first digital detox will last. It could be just an afternoon and evening, a morning, a day, or a weekend. It's essential to know what it consists of beforehand. It might be initially reducing screen time by 20% compared to the previous week, avoiding binge-watching series or texting. Be sure to know the challenges you'll face in advance.

Inform close people if necessary. If you're someone who spends the whole day on social media or texting, others might find it strange or even worrying when they can't find you, so they need to know what's happening. Therefore, you won't be bothered.

Find offline zones in your home where electronic devices are not allowed. I recommend the bedroom. You'll sleep better, wake up healthier, and pay more attention to your partner.

Create a list of alternative activities you want to engage in. Disconnecting from the online world will free up more time and potential boredom might lead you to reach for your phone quickly. Think and write down everything you want to do, whether it's reading books, practicing yoga, meditation, going to the gym, playing padel, pursuing a hobby, photography, woodworking, or anything else. Fill your free time with quality content. That way, the need for online activities will decrease.

Be patient. It will be difficult and probably unsuccessful in the beginning. You always have a chance to make up for it. Don't give up. Eventually, you'll succeed.

Track your progress. The easiest way is to mark each day on the calendar if you've successfully completed the tasks for that day. It's even better to keep a diary and write down how you feel during the process. This will help you connect with your emotions.

When you notice progress, celebrate. Reward yourself. You deserve it.

Why is skiing ideal for a digital detox?

First and foremost, it's due to the change of environment, and a change for the better. Skiing takes place in snow-covered mountains, creating an idyllic atmosphere. Nature is beautiful, with lots of forests, significantly cleaner air than in the city, and no traffic jams or noise. All of this helps us disconnect from the daily rush that surrounds us.

It's easier to plan. For most skiers, everything revolves around the slopes. The day starts around 8 or 9 in the morning, depending on when the gondolas start operating, and ends around 4 or 5 in the afternoon with the first dusk. During that time, you're either on the slopes or in one of the bars for coffee, lunch, or simply sunbathing and chatting with friends. It's an ideal opportunity to turn off the internet. The idea of "forgetting" your phone in the apartment is tempting, but be cautious because if you get lost or injured, you won't be able to call anyone.

Skiing is physically demanding. You'll be pleasantly tired, and you'll probably fall asleep easily in the evening, so there's no need to bring your phone into bed. Leave it outside the room where you sleep. I know, alarms. Buy an alarm clock. It costs 5 dollars.

You're with your family or friends whom you've chosen yourself. Devote your time to them. Skiing is a great opportunity for quality social interaction. Have conversations that have nothing to do with work, money, or problems. When was the last time you talked to someone about theater, film, or a book? Not to mention more personal topics.

Exploration of the surroundings. Every mountain has hiking trails and countless beautiful viewpoints. Visit them. Try traditional local dishes or local wines. If you have the energy, try your luck at a place with music. You might enjoy a bit of nightlife.

Considering you're physically active when skiing, you're with people you've chosen, and there's various entertainment all around, you won't find it too difficult to detach from your phone or computer. As a result, just after a few days, you'll feel the first benefits of an offline lifestyle. Use this as preparation for returning to everyday life and motivation to continue your digital detox when you're back in the city routine.

What are the benefits of digital detox?

With a digital detox, you shift your focus from others to yourself. Instead of the usual "what should I wear" and "what to eat today," you'll start thinking about how you feel, your desires, what's actually bothering you. Answers to these questions lead to self-connection and better self-understanding, which is the beginning of finding inner peace.

When there are no electronic devices, there are no tragic, terrifying, or disgusting news that the internet is full of. There's no endless scrolling on social media. There's no comparison with others who look better and happier than you in a picture or drive better cars. All of this leads to reduced stress, improved mood, and better sleep.

When you're doing something, and you're not constantly bombarded with notifications, your focus increases. There are no distractions; you're more focused and delve deeper into the subject you're working on. You become more productive.

As you become more productive, you'll have more free time for other activities, and since you've eliminated the option of online activities, you'll spend more time outside. This can go in the direction of sports and recreation, self-improvement, or simply reconnecting with nature.

You'll revive face-to-face contact. No matter how many convincing and detailed emojis they create, they're incomparable to the opportunity to see a loved one's emotions live, hug them, look them in the eyes, and have a conversation. You'll strengthen existing relationships and have the opportunity to build new ones.

You'll open up a vast space for creativity, solving personal problems, and connecting with your own desires. You'll allow yourself to discover what you really want without any external influences.

These are just some of the known benefits of digital detox. There are also various individual benefits you'll discover if you give it a try.

In conclusion…

The digital world is our reality. We should accept and utilize it, but we must also be aware that there's a danger of it becoming our only reality, and we need to fight against that. Skiing is here to remind us that there are other worlds, much more beautiful than the ones we need to stay connected to.