Can I still work during a digital detox?
Written by
Gina Mason
Reviewed by
Prof. Graham Pierce, Ph.D.Working professionals can certainly remain productive during their digital detoxes if they make certain adjustments. I have successfully worked with hundreds of clients to achieve this balance. This revolves around establishing clear boundaries for essential work tasks while also protecting time for offline restoration. Your career is nourished along with your well-being through proper planning.
Communication Protocol
- Establish advance notification to colleagues about availability
- Set specific response windows for urgent matters
- Designate backup contacts for critical issues
Time Containment
- Schedule hyper-focused 90-minute work blocks
- Separate professional tasks from personal screen use
- Use offline hours for deep thinking and strategy
While in detox, I keep only essential communication channels open. Emergency entries can be made through phones, but emails and messaging services are currently unavailable. I have a phone line reserved entirely for real work emergencies. This compartmentalization protects against the subversion of healing time by work, while also considering real emergencies.
Instead of offline time, hyper-focused work sessions are established. Intense 90-minute work sessions are developed before detoxification starts. The amount completed in the concentrated work sessions of my clients far exceeds the potential accomplishments of typical fragmented days. The mental freshness induced by the techno-détente enhances professional effectiveness in the long run, despite any initial disconnection.
Clearly define your boundaries with automatic responses. Use email autoresponders to inform people of your limited available times. Personally inform key colleagues of your detox schedule. This transparency enhances understanding while safeguarding your restorative time. Effective professional relationships are strengthened through honest communication.
Read the full article: Digital Detox Benefits to Transform Your Life
