Wherever you go, the buzz phrase these days is ‘digital detox’. Don’t be a slave to your phone, the advice columns scream. Get off your socials when you are eating with family, say influencers on Instagram. Resist the urge to post late into the night if you want to sleep well, warn ‘lifestyle coaches’ (no, me neither).
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What none of these people tell you is how to keep yourself occupied once you’ve initiated that ‘digital detox’. Yes, it’s all very well to say ‘pick up a book instead’ or ‘watch a series on your favourite streaming service’. That will, however, only take you so far. The urge to pick up your phone will never be too far away. Spending time in nature is the best cure to digital overload. So, the next time you head out for a walk, leave your phone behind. Instead of listening to music or a podcast, focus on birdsong instead. Feast your eyes on the greenery all around. Soak in the beauty of the flower verges. If you feel so inclined take along a pad to sketch or paint. Or simply capture it in your mind’s eye.
