Event 2: 24 hour Unplug Challenge

This past week, I traveled back home to Florida for my sister's wedding. It was the perfect time to take on the 24-Hour Unplug Challenge. Being surrounded by family in a peaceful environment gave me a rare opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with myself and my loved ones.

"Always Connected to Your Phone? ASU Professor Sees More Worry About Tech." ASU News, 5 Mar. 2018, https://news.asu.edu/20180305-solutions-always-connected-your-phone-asu-professor-sees-more-worry-about-tech.

I spent the day lounging by the pool, soaking in the sun, and spending lots of time with my family. Without the constant worry of notifications, I was able to be fully present during our time together. Normally, during dinner prep, I would zone out watching TV while my mom cooked. But this time, I was right there beside her, helping. 

My own photo, taken the next day, to document my relaxing morning

Admittedly, I’m addicted to my phone. I caught myself instinctively reaching for it multiple times in the morning, out of habit. Resisting the urge to check Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok felt unfamiliar at first, but once I adjusted, it was nice. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, social media and smartphone use can cause dependency symptoms similar to substance addiction, making it difficult to detach without discomfort (Elhai et al. 2017). But after a few hours, I adjusted, and I noticed something unexpected: I went to bed earlier and woke up feeling more refreshed.

I also took a yoga and Pilates class, which helped me stay grounded and mindful. Research indicates that engaging in physical activity and mindfulness exercises, such as yoga, can significantly reduce stress and improve focus (Pascoe & Parker, 2019). The challenge made me realize how often I use technology to fill space, avoid silence, or escape stress. As The New York Times explains, more people are turning to digital detoxes to "reclaim time and intentionality" in a world dominated by screens (Bowles 2019).

My own photo, taken the following day at my pilates workout 

This experience aligns with DESMA 9 themes, how technology shapes behavior and creativity. It made me reflect on presence and attention, and I hope to explore those in my final project. I’d recommend this challenge to classmates for the space it creates for connection, creativity, and self-reflection.


Works Cited

Alosaimi, F. D., Alyahya, H., Alshomrani, A. T., Alhabeeb, M. A., & Alhadi, A. (2023). Smartphone addiction, stress, and depression among university students: A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry, 23, Article 274. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05384-6

Caron, Christina. “What Happens When You Try a Tech Detox?” The New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/well/live/tech-digital-detox-screen-time.html.  

Elhai, Jon D., et al. “Problematic Smartphone Use: A Conceptual Overview and Systematic Review of Relations with Anxiety and Depression Psychopathology.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 207, 2017, pp. 251–259.

Pascoe, Michaela C., David R. Thompson, and Chantal F. Ski. “Yoga, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Stress-Related Physiological Measures: A Meta-Analysis.” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 86, Dec. 2017, pp. 152–168. Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.08.008. 

Ramadhan, Roy N., et al. “Impacts of Digital Social Media Detox for Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Narra Journal, vol. 4, no. 2, 7 Aug. 2024, article e786. https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v4i2.786.

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