Digital detox: Why 24 hours offline could save your sanity
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you spent a full day without your phone? No WhatsApp. No X. No endless TikTok scrolls.
If that sounds like a nightmare, it might be time for a reset.
In today’s hyperconnected world, constant digital stimulation has quietly become a mental health hazard.
And while your phone might help you navigate life, it’s also sneakily draining your energy, disrupting your sleep, and killing your concentration.
That’s where the idea of a digital detox comes in: logging off for a full 24 hours to recharge your mind and reclaim your peace.
Screen time stress
Kenya now leads the world in social media usage, clocking in at an average of three hours and 43 minutes per day, far above the global average of two hours and 23 minutes, according to a GWI report compiled by Cable.co.uk.
And it’s not just about how long we scroll; it’s about what that constant screen time is doing to our minds.
Studies by the University of Rochester Medical Center, show that “a reduction in smartphone use by one hour per day for just one week resulted in lower depression and anxiety scores and a noticeable improvement in physical activity.”
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about nighttime tech use and its interference with mental rest.
In Kenya, it’s not uncommon to find people glued to their screens well past midnight, switching from emails to reels to group chats without pause. It’s no wonder we wake up tired.
Unplug to reboot
The magic of a 24-hour detox lies in its simplicity. Turning off your phone gives your brain a breather.
You sleep deeper. Think clearer. Feel lighter.
Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re anti-tech; it just means you value boundaries over burnout.
Imagine a Saturday where you don’t reach for your phone every five minutes.
No pressure to respond instantly. Just time to cook, nap, garden, read, or do absolutely nothing. That quiet can feel revolutionary.
Try this at home
Going offline doesn’t mean disappearing from Earth. Start small. Keep your phone out of reach during meals.
Switch your scrolling session with a walk around your estate. Use an alarm clock instead of your phone. Read a book before bed instead of watching one more reel.
Even just sitting outside and watching the sky without a screen can reset your mind in ways you didn’t think you needed.
The goal isn’t to delete your apps; it’s to take back control. One unplugged moment at a time.
