Finding balance in a digital age: Coaching strategies for digital detox

What Is a Digital Detox?

Technology has woven itself into almost every element of life, blurring the boundaries between work, entertainment and of course, personal time. As coaches, we want to be visible, promote our services, and of course be there for clients, but all that ‘ON’ time can become overwhelming.

A digital detox can help you reset, find balance, and reconnect with your ‘Why?’   It’s not about abandoning technology; but instead making a conscious effort to establish a healthier relationship with it, and there’s no better time to do so than at the beginning of a New Year! Think of a digital detox as a breathing space where you can create or re-establish boundaries; making sure you’re in control of it, rather than feeling like it’s in control of you.

 Coaching Strategies to Use During a Digital Detox

1. Mindful Awareness

Become mindful of the technology you use, and how it shows up in your life. Ask yourself: 

• How do I feel before and after using technology? 
• What activities do I sacrifice due to excessive screen time? 
• Where are moments in my day I can disconnect without feeling anxious or stressed?

2. Goal Setting

As a coach, you know the value of setting realistic and achievable goals, therefore, how can you plan a digital detox you look forward to and feel refreshed by? Ask yourself:

• Where can I designate tech-free zones or times during the day? 
• When can I limit social media use to a specific times or duration each day? 
• Do I need to introduce or re-establish a "no screens before bedtime" rule?

3. Establishing Boundaries

Having clear boundaries around technology can help the way you use it. This could involve creating a structured schedule for checking emails, setting specific times you engage, or even delete any social media accounts you no longer identify with, or at the very least turn off notifications during work or family time.

4. Building Alternate Habits

Whilst tech is an integral part of modern-day life, and an incredible tool to use as a coach, that ease of use can sometimes creep into every moment, claiming more time than you feel comfortable with. If that’s the case, replacing screen time with healthier habits, especially during a digital detox, can work wonders. What habits will you establish or re-establish? Read on.

How To Plan Your Digital Detox

As a coach, you’ll know it’s really important to understand exactly what you mean by a digital detox, plan how long it’s for, and what’s included. Ask yourself: 

• How long will my digital detox be for? 
• What is included, and what isn’t? 
• When do I want to begin?  

To give you an example of my January digital detox: 

• It runs from 1st to 31st January.  
• The aim is to reduce or omit screentime and endless scrolling wherever possible, whether on my phone, iPad, laptop or TV (YouTube).  

To achieve that: 

• I use Canva to schedule social media posts in December to publish automatically each day during January and the first few days of February. 
• If someone replies to a post the notification will show up on my phone/computer, which I check during email time (below).  
• Weekly blog posts and newsletters are all written and scheduled in December and published weekly during January and the first week of February. 
• I only check emails 30 minutes in the morning and the same at the end of the afternoon. 
• Client calls and webinars all take place as normal.  

In addition: 

• This past year I’ve watched less TV (though I still watch some) and read for an hour each evening. 
• I’ve also cut out using my phone on the bus/train/underground, and instead read books, which apparently are far less stressful and better for the brain!

Will you do a digital detox in January? I hope so. Think of the benefits…in fact, LIST the benefits (you are a coach, after all)! Plan the what, commit to the when, then hit ‘go’ and set yourself up for an amazing New Year. 

Leave a comment on our social pages and let me know how you’re doing. I’ll be rooting for you…even though you probably won’t hear much from me during January…after all, I will be digitally detoxing, too!

Wishing you a happy, successful and joyful 2024!  

Mike Blissett qualified as a coach with The Coaching Academy in 2003. He’s a successful presentation skills coach/trainer, and has been on The Coaching Academy's training team since 2007.