Help: advice & tools for digital detox / minimalism? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 3 months ago by dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Hello, I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for tools to help with digital detox / digital minimalism.

I struggle with mild impulsivity. Whenever I open my computer I almost automatically open a browser and check social media.

It used to be a problem primarily with Reddit and news sites, but since joining Lemmy my behavior has switched to regularly checking Lemmy.

I'm looking for any tools or advice, whether cognitive-behavioral or technical like browser extensions.

In the past I used the Firefox extension called Redirector to redirect myself from certain subreddits like /r/all to something more benign (I like /r/sewing or /r/books for example), and this intervention helped break up automatic behavior and was a kind of harm reduction: still feeding the impulsivity, but with healthier content.

I was wondering if there is something like Redirector that redirects randomly with some probability (like 20% of the time it redirects to the target you specify).

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[-] AndrewZabar@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Try music or a relaxation app. I love those. I used to have one where you could make recipes of sounds. I had thunderstorm + crackling campfire + mild creaking of wooden deck as an old sail ship tilts back and forth. Fucking pure opium to my body. I loved it. It’s like the most peaceful combination of sounds I’ve ever heard.

Anyway, I’m always around to chat if you ever want. I barely sleep lol. Also my son has issues like this where he’s online and doesn’t think to stop and rest. We are working on it.

[-] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Yeah, I like to get distracted and sucked into things, esp. on the computer. When I get that way I don't get hungry or thirsty, I don't realize I need to use the restroom, etc. - just completely ignoring the body (which is nice for me). I'm pretty sure it ruins my posture and creates muscular-skeletal problems, too.

Either way, interesting idea about listening to sounds or music - maybe that would increase enjoyment, but I worry it would reduce the usefulness of the resting (part of what I think helps is that I seclude my senses and I usually lie down in a quiet and dark place). Still, something to explore and see if it wouldn't make it easier to motivate me to do it instead of rotting on the screen.

[-] AndrewZabar@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

I think if you try different things you’ll find a balance. I really wish you all the best.

this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2024

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