Online to offline

Sarah Taryam, Arts Editor

There is no denying that smartphones are now a crucial part of our lives. Our very existence revolves around this little hand held device to which our levels of attachment have become unhealthy. This week we are looking at our phone obsessions and how a digital detox can be good for you.

While expert’s opinions vary on whether or not loving your phone too much is an addiction, no one can deny that it has become a bad habit. The scenario is too familiar, a group of friends are out having dinner and they are all on their phones instead of talking to each other. Children too have fallen victim to this digital allure. Taking a step back and examining how we use our phones is a good idea.

As depression and anxiety rates soar, no one can deny the link between those sad statistics and the world of social media. Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter are creating generations of people who constantly compare their lives to what they are seeing online. It is just not healthy.

A digital detox is a great idea. While you could go to extremes and completely remove yourself from the online world, it’s not always necessary. Simply being more mindful about where your energy goes online will help. Setting timers is another way to control how much time you spend scrolling. Do whatever works for you.

In other news this week, and to help with your digital detox, turn to our Fitness pages to read about which popular workouts are worth trying. Hot yoga has become popular lately. It’s basically yoga in a really hot room and it’s supposed to increase flexibility and help the body release toxins.