Digital mindfulness is about well-being
- Posted on: 21 September 2022
- By: Hushoffice Team
Attention is your most valuable resource. It drives you to achieve your goals. It shapes the right mindset. But in an era of omnipresent technology that distracts us at every turn, the question arises: how to protect it?
Key takeaways: 9 steps to achieve digital mindfulness
Organise technology-free meetings whenever possible (read more: hushMeet acoustic meeting pod).
Consider a digital detox during your holidays and weekend breaks.
Schedule a hard stop for technology after which electronic devices are not allowed.
Set rules for when and how often you will check your mailbox during the weekend.
Switch off intrusive push notifications.
Set specific timeframes for checking social media.
Switch your mobile to Do Not Disturb mode when working.
Relax by taking regular breaks in a private pod, such as hushWork.sit&stand.
Focus on one device or application at a time.
Mindless use of digital devices reduces our efficiency at work.
Excessive use of mobile phones generally leads to stress, which can negatively impact various work-related aspects, including productivity. For example, when we check our electronic devices during meetings, our attention is divided, preventing us from fully engaging with the discussion. As a result, communication, collaboration, and creativity decrease.
It’s common knowledge that technology may be addictive.
Most applications are cleverly designed to stimulate our dopamine reward pathways, making us addicted to the pleasure of their notifications. The consequences are significant; Swedish researchers have found that excessive use of technological devices among young adults is associated with anxiety and sleep disorders.
Reflexively checking apps and devices can cause discomfort.
When we become accustomed to the constant on-screen entertainment, we can grow indifferent to the wonderfully dull, here-and-now reality. Additionally, we become fidgety and uneasy, constantly craving mental stimulation and never feeling truly satisfied
– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.
Forget the anxiety of being constantly “on the clock” or the fear of missing out.
In fact, “digital detox” is the perfect term to describe the antidote.
But what does it exactly refer to? Digital detox is a deliberate break from digital technology, including apps, devices, and the Internet.
The goal is to reset, reassessing your relationship with the virtual world.
Refraining from technology for just 30 minutes may serve as a valuable wake-up call for the data addicts among us. In fact, taking regular breaks from technology can help address the harmful, compulsive use of digital tools.
Digital detoxes help us become more mindful users of digital tools.
Research shows that reducing social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day can significantly enhance well-being, alleviating feelings of loneliness and depression. By becoming more mindful, we take control of our devices and use them with specific goals in mind. We perform at our best. We feel happier.
Consider designating technology-free areas within the office to promote a culture of digital mindfulness.
Awareness is the first step. Indeed, some tasks are more effectively performed using a traditional, device-less approach, such as brainstorming, idea mapping, and storyboarding. The fundamentals.
Technology may hinder ideation by complicating or slowing down the process.
Sometimes, all your employees need is a traditional whiteboard to spontaneously jot down ideas. Our mobile hushWall is an ideal solution as it can be effortlessly rolled wherever ideas are flourishing.
Technology-free meetings can be remarkably successful as they foster genuine presence.
Research on the impact of mobile technology on social interaction reveals the mere presence of a phone in a meeting room makes individuals less empathetic during the discussion. Mind-blowing, isn’t it? Indeed, by putting away our digital devices, we signal to others that our full attention is on them.
When you begin experimenting with technology-free meetings, you will definitely notice that most workers really appreciate the short respite from the online world. In fact, we seem to forget how wonderfully refreshing it is to engage in discussions in peace and quiet without being constantly distracted by beeping smartphone notifications and other tech-related devices
– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.
Remember, boredom can stifle creativity!
When we are constantly busy, there is no time for boredom, which leaves no space for daydreaming and creative thinking. Technology becomes a serious concern in this context, as it distracts us from the here-and-now where boredom and ingenuity go hand in hand. The magic of ideation fades away.
A digitally mindful individual can focus on enhancing productivity instead of only consuming.
It’s primarily about taking control of your attention, which is one of the most valuable assets in today’s dynamic, fiercely competitive work environment
– claims Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.
Additionally, switching off your laptop or mobile for just an hour a day can give you a tremendous boost of time and energy. This can increase your capacity to deliver excellent results, connect with a nervous new hire, or excel in a challenging call.
The priority is to offer your employees quiet, private areas away from their desks where they can take a break.
Breaks can be extremely refreshing. Even five minutes in a peaceful cocoon-like space, such as an office pod, allows individuals to gain perspective and reassess their work more positively.
Consider private office pods which “hush” background noise.
For example, our Hushoffice pods. Acoustically designed to muffle office noise, they feature two solid walls to ensure visual privacy, and two glass panels to maintain a connection with the open-floor activity. Within the pod, you can enjoy a personal, noise-free space, both literally and figuratively.
When you enter a pod, the world around you fades away. It’s just you and your task.
You aren’t distracted by other team members chattering on the floor. To maximise focus, go technology-free. Connect with your colleague in hushMeet for a quick update, without a laptop. Set up shop in hushWork.sit&stand, and use sheets of paper to address challenges in the traditional way.
When you enter a Hushoffice pod, you immerse yourself in a cocoon of focus and quiet.
It feels like a hard reset, offering respite from the office hustle and bustle and a fresh perspective on managing it all. Office pods foster focus, helping you to escape the overwhelm of clutter. It has room to breathe. It has Hush.
For more inspiration, read about our Hushoffice collection.
Key takeaways: 9 steps to achieve digital mindfulness
Organise technology-free meetings whenever possible (read more: hushMeet acoustic meeting pod).
Consider a digital detox during your holidays and weekend breaks.
Schedule a hard stop for technology after which electronic devices are not allowed.
Set rules for when and how often you will check your mailbox during the weekend.
Switch off intrusive push notifications.
Set specific timeframes for checking social media.
Switch your mobile to Do Not Disturb mode when working.
Relax by taking regular breaks in a private pod, such as hushWork.sit&stand.
Focus on one device or application at a time.
Digital mindfulness – Frequently Asked Questions
What does digital detox refer to?
A digital detox involves a deliberate break from digital technology, including apps and devices. The aim is to reassess your relationship with modern technologies from a different perspective, and reflect on their positive and negative impacts on your life.
What is the definition of digital mindfulness?
Digital mindfulness refers to the purposeful and controlled use of technology, such as apps, mobiles, or tablets. A digitally mindful individual uses digital technology to their own advantage rather than being negatively affected by it.
What are Hushoffice pods?
Hushoffice pods are soundproof, stand-alone work and meeting spaces, designed to ensure focus, foster collaboration, and facilitate video conferences or calls. They enhance your office soundscape by containing speech made inside while providing users with a quiet working and meeting environment conducive to focus. Additionally, by offering workers with self-contained, dedicated spaces, pods enhance privacy within the workspace.