Digital mindfulness is a matter of well-being

Summary: 9 steps toward digital mindfulness

1. Make meetings tech-free when possible (see the hushMeet acoustic meeting pod)

2. Plan for a true digital detox on every vacation and weekend getaway

3. Implement a hard “unplug” time past which device use is forbidden

4. Consider setting weekend rules around when and how often you’ll check email

5. Turn off unneeded push notifications

6. Give yourself limited windows for social media

7. Set your mobile to do not disturb when working

8. Take frequent breaks in a private work pod, like hushWork.sit&stand, to recharge

9. Use just one device or app at a time

Mindless technology use makes us less effective at work.

Excessive cellphone use causes stress. And stress ruins many things, productivity chief among them. When we’re habitually checking devices during meetings and at work, our attention is divided; deep, enduring focus, continually derailed. Communication, collaboration, and creativity suffer for it.

It’s news to no one that tech can be addictive.

Most apps are smartly designed to tap into our dopamine reward pathways, hooking us by the feel-goods their notifications give. The repercussions are real; a study from researchers in Sweden finds heavy tech use among young adults is linked with anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Reflexively checking devices causes distress.

As we get accustomed to being entertained at all times, we lose our appetite for the wonderfully dull present moment. We can become fidgety and uncomfortable in general — restless, never satisfied, always seeking mental stimulation

– explains Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Forget the angst of feeling “on the clock” always or the anxiety regarding world events.

“Digital detox” is really the perfect phrase to describe the antidote.

And what is a digital detox exactly? It’s a conscious break from technology — devices, apps, the internet, etcetera.

The point is to reset, reassessing everything virtual.

Abstaining from technology for even half an hour can be a helpful wake-up call for the information fiends among us. Ultimately, regular digital detoxes help combat unhealthy, compulsive use of modern tools.

Digital detoxes make us more mindful of technology use.

Research suggests that limiting social media use alone to about 30 minutes a day can substantially boost well-being, reducing symptoms of loneliness and depression. When we’re mindful, our devices aren’t using us, but instead we’re using our devices toward a clear aim. We’re performing well. We’re happier.

Consider tech-free zones in the office to encourage a culture of digital mindfulness.

As it’s said, awareness is the first step. And some tasks simply benefit from an analog, device-less approach, after all. Brainstorming. Idea mapping. Storyboarding. The basics.

Tech can just obstruct ideation (by making the process too complicated or cumbersome).

Sometimes all a team needs is a good old-fashioned whiteboard to upchuck ideas onto without inhibition. A portable one like hushWall is ideal because it rolls wherever juices flow.

Tech-free meetings are great, too. They foster a stronger presence.

Interestingly, research on the effect of mobile devices on social interaction finds that the mere inclusion of a phone in a meeting space causes people to be less empathetic in conversation, too. Pretty wild, right? By putting away devices, we give our people our full attention.

What you’ll likely see in experimenting with tech-free meetings is that most employees find the short break from virtual reality to be wholly refreshing. We forget how pleasant it is to just conversate in a quiet space without the demands of smartphones and all their comrades

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Remember that boredom can spark creativity!

When we’re constantly occupied, boredom never arises, never leads us to daydream, to think up weird original ideas. Tech becomes problematic at this point — when it repeatedly takes us out of the mundane moment where boredom happens and, subsequently, magic, too. That is imaginative thought.

Digital mindfulness can make us less consumptive and more productive.

It’s all about taking charge of your attention — one of the most powerful, indomitable assets to lead with in a highly competitive, quick-paced work world

– offers Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Turning off the laptop or mobile for even an hour each day gives you valuable time and energy back, too. Which means more bandwidth to turn out strong work, to link up with a new, nervous hire, or to navigate a challenging call.

The #1 thing: give employees peaceful, private spaces (away from their desks) to catch breathers.

Breaks can be fantastically restorative. Just 5 minutes in a hushed bubble like an office pod helps one see the forest for the trees — to re-approach their work with vigor.

Consider private work pods. They work by “Hushing” the noise.

Take our Hushoffice pods. Sound-insulated to block out office sound. Two solid walls to block out extra visual activity. With two glass panels allowing a nice sense of connection to the open floor. Inside, you enjoy a personal space that’s noise-free (literally and figuratively).

In a pod, you aren’t concerned about anything beyond the task at hand. You’re present.

You aren’t sidetracked by colleague chatter on the floor. Go totally tech-free for the full effect of blessed singular focus. Connect with a colleague in hushMeet for a brief discussion, no laptop. Or set up shop in hushWork.sit&stand with just a few sheets of paper to think through a hurdle in the old-school, organic way, no tablet.

Stepping into a Hushoffice pod, you cocoon yourself in concentration and calm.

It’s like a hard reset. Time out from the chaos, giving you perspective on how to better wrangle it all. Focus comes more easily in an office pod. Your moment is no longer flooded with clutter. It’s got breathing room in it. It’s got Hush.

Check out the Hushoffice collection for inspiration.

Summary: 9 steps toward digital mindfulness

1. Make meetings tech-free when possible (see the hushMeet acoustic meeting pod)
2. Plan for a true digital detox on every vacation and weekend getaway
3. Implement a hard “unplug” time past which device use is forbidden
4. Consider setting weekend rules around when and how often you’ll check email
5. Turn off unneeded push notifications
6. Give yourself limited windows for social media
7. Set your mobile to do not disturb when working
8. Take frequent breaks in a private work pod, like hushWork.sit&stand, to recharge
9. Use just one device or app at a time

Digital mindfulness – frequently asked questions

What is digital detox?

A digital detox is a conscious break from electronic devices, apps, and other digital technology. The idea is to reflect on how your technology use may be helping or hurting.

What is digital mindfulness?

Digital mindfulness is the conscious use of technology, from smartphones to tablets to apps. When you’re digitally mindful, you’re using technology in a way that empowers you rather than hinders you.

What are Hushoffice pods?

Hushoffice pods are acoustic, freestanding work and meeting rooms designed with all the features needed to focus, collaborate, video conference, or call. They improve the office’s acoustics by trapping user noise made inside while also providing the user(s) with a work or meeting space free of background sound. They also improve workplace privacy by giving employees contained spaces to concentrate.