Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you spend online? If you’re like most people in Brazil, your answer may be a good starting point to understand why digital minimalism exists.
According to the Digital Report 2024, by We Are Social , Brazilians spend, on average, 9 hours and 13 minutes per day on social media. And, as expected, this intense use is already taking its toll.
How did digital minimalism come about?
Digital minimalism is a philosophy that proposes a more conscious and balanced use of technology.
The person who created this concept was Cal Newport, an American author and professor, who defines it as “the art of knowing how much is enough” — a way to stay focused in an increasingly chaotic world.
But why is this movement gaining so much attention? To understand it better, we need to talk about another concept: brain rot , elected in 2024 as the expression of the year by the Oxford Dictionary .
What is Brain Rot ?
Loosely translated as “brain rot,” brain rot refers to the decline in a person’s mental or intellectual capabilities after excessive screen time and consumption of too much online content.
This fatigue can lead to a series of other consequences, such as reduced focus, motivation and productivity, compromising our performance in school, professional and personal life.
Furthermore, excessive use of technology is also linked to increased stress and anxiety, sleep problems and other impacts that compromise both mental and physical health.
Given this scenario, more and more people are looking for alternatives to regain control over their own time and attention. Digital minimalism emerges as a response to this problem.
Digital minimalism in practice
Although many people are already aware of the negative effects of being online all the time, breaking this behavior is not as simple as it seems.
Scrolling through social media endlessly releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that creates a feeling of pleasure and reward. This creates an how does google business messages work? addictive cycle, much like what happens in other forms of addiction.
That’s why embracing digital minimalism isn’t just about wanting to. Creating a new relationship with social media requires adopting consistent measures that wean our brains off these continuous (and easy) doses of relief.
Among them, the following stand out:
PERFORM A “DIGITAL DETOX”
In the book Digital Minimalism: For a Deep Life in a Shallow World , Cal Newport suggests that readers go 30 days dedicated home healthcare services for melbourne communities without non-essential technology.
The goal of this “digital detox” is to reflect on which tools really add value to life and which just waste time unproductively.
Plus, seeing that you can reduce your screen time gives you the chance to replace online time with more fulfilling offline activities — like discovering a new hobby or hanging out with friends and family.
LIMIT NOTIFICATIONS
Having your phone always at hand opens the door to a world of distractions. All it takes is a notification for your attention to phone number germany be instantly diverted, interrupting your focus and productivity.
One strategy to prevent this from happening is to turn off unnecessary notifications and adjust your phone settings so that only the really important alerts reach you.
Another interesting alternative is to set specific times to check emails, messages and social networks.
PRIORITIZE IN-PERSON EXCHANGES
It’s tempting to rely on the convenience of social media to stay in touch with friends, family, and coworkers. But these digital interactions are often no substitute for the real connection that happens when we meet face-to-face.
If you want to lead a more meaningful life, it’s worth setting aside time in your schedule for face-to-face meetings. But if that’s not possible, why not replace sending quick, impersonal messages with a phone call?
CULTIVATE MOMENTS OF SOLITUDE
Access to information has increased significantly with social media. But the fact is that our brain needs moments of rest to perform its role well.
The simple act of being alone, and in silence, is a powerful tool for recharging mental energy.
So, instead of filling every minute of your day with digital activities. Try to set aside some time each day to be free from any distractions.
These moments of disconnection allow our minds to organize themselves and creativity to flourish.
The benefits of spending more time “off”
Adopting digital minimalism doesn’t mean completely distancing yourself from technology. After all, the benefits it brings to our personal and professional lives are undeniable.
The idea is to use this resource consciously and intentionally. Understanding the best way to make the most of our time.