Social media use and attachment to digital devices have been documented to have effects on the brain similar to drug addiction. Some believe a digital detox is the answer to restoring mental health.

Visual stimulation through our devices can send a dose of dopamine and alter the brain in a similar way to ingesting cocaine. It’s a serious problem. According to one study, 25% of adults between the ages of 18 and her 44 can’t remember the last time they didn’t have a smartphone.

Athletes and celebrities are dealing with the negative effects of their social media presence on their mental health. Gymnast Gabby Douglas and, more recently, Spider-Man star Tom Holland, have stepped away from their accounts, citing online pressure and social media attention as a source of mental stress. In some cases, some have chosen to remove their social media presence entirely and delete it.

The pressure of connectivity can affect health in a myriad of ways, from triggering stress and depression to vision and posture problems.

A digital detox is a viable alternative if it’s less extreme. Taking a break from social media and all online presence has become a popular way for people feeling the pressure to connect to try to regain their inner peace.

Taking a step away from a stressor seems like an obvious way to restore balance, but studies looking at the effectiveness of digital interventions have had mixed results. However, other participants experienced negative health effects or had no effect at all.

Taking a step away from social media seems to deter procrastination, but it can have a negative impact on feelings of loneliness and boredom.

While a digital detox has all-encompassing benefits, wellness experts and medical practitioners believe it’s good to take a little time to relax and detach. Various spas and resorts offer curated detox programs to isolate guests from their devices.

The Mandarin Spa, Hong Kong is one of the first hotels in the city to offer programs geared toward disconnectedness. Digital detox rituals encourage guests to leave their devices at the door.

The director of the hotel’s Spa and Wellness Genesis dei Lagasca says guests may need a little more encouragement to take their first steps.

And for those seeking a more immersive experience, resorts like Chiva Som in Thailand offer retreats designed to help guests break their digital habits for at least a few days. .

But for those who may not be able to stay away from our devices for long periods of time, taking small steps like setting boundaries around the bedroom phone and daily time spent on social media can help reduce over-connection. It can be a healthy first step towards

Otherwise, you can free up time for other leisure activities. In a study of his 1,600 people conducted by his computer science professor, Cal Newport, subjects found that being digitally decluttered meant they had more time to read and pursue the arts, and were more connected to those around them. I’m reporting that the connection is deepening.

See also: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Spa & Wellness Director reveals Hong Kong’s desire to embrace wellness separately.