I don’t know about you but there’s a constant wrestle in my head that KNOWS digital devices are stealing my time (and money) and keeping me awake, but I find it almost impossible to detach from them. Most nights I promise myself I’ll turn off my laptop early, put the phone on Do Not Disturb and stop scrolling hours before I go to bed but it rarely happens. The problem is, we live in a hyper-connected world. Phones, laptops, and TVs often dominate our evenings, keeping our minds busy long after our bodies are ready to rest. This can leave us overstimulated and struggling to unwind. A simple digital detox evening — even once or twice a week — can help us reset our nervous system. Part of me ‘thinks’ scrolling is relaxing but studies show we actually feel more stressed after a stint on Instagram than when we started! So, with this in mind, I’m ready to commit to some digital detox evenings to help reduce stress, improve my sleep, and restore balance.
Here’s what I’ll be trying:
Swap harsh screens for the soft glow of candlelight. This allows melatonin levels to rise naturally, helping your body prepare for rest.
Lighting an essential oil candle or turning reeds in your diffuser is a sensory signal that your “offline” time has begun.
Read, journal, stretch, or simply sit with a warm drink.
This stimulates the vagus nerve, by humming, you’re gently activating this nerve, which can lower heart rate, reduce stress, and promote calm.
Blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals to your body it’s time to sleep. Evening exposure from screens can delay melatonin release, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing overall sleep quality.
Lavender, chamomile, cedarwood, and sweet orange are all grounding, restful scents that help calm the mind and prepare the body for deeper rest. By weaving aromatherapy into your digital detox routine, you can turn screen-free time into a true act of self-care. If you’re going to start having some digital detox evenings I’d love to hear how you get on!
