Digital Detox: 5 Visible Signs You Need It

Is it time to go on a digital detox? These days, the answer isn’t as straightforward. It’s hard to think about a life without smartphones and the internet. Technology is now fully integrated into everyone’s day-to-day lives: from keeping people connected to making work a lot easier and being a real-time source for the latest news and updates. It even helps people with necessities such as paying bills and grocery shopping.

There are downsides to being connected 24/7. It messes with your attention span, mood and disposition, and skin. How exactly can technology affect your appearance, and is a digital detox the right step for you?

The increased reliance on smartphones and laptops has led to a new medical phenomenon: say hello to the “smartphone face.” Coined by Dr. Mervyn Patterson, a cosmetic surgeon from the UK, “smartphone face” refers to a facial condition that consists of double chins, sagging jowls, and prominent “marionette lines,” those vertical creases that run from the corners of the mouth towards the chin.

According to Patterson, sitting for hours with your head bent slightly forward while staring at a smartphone or laptop screen may shorten the neck muscles and increase the gravitational pull on the jowls that lead to a drooping jawline." The sagging face also becomes more noticeable when you see yourself on the front-view camera, such as taking a selfie or video-calling someone.

From phantom vibrations to wondering whether your screen lit up, your compulsive need to "connect" can make you imagine things. You may feel the strong urge to check your phone for updates now and then – even if there is no reason to do so. When you feel restless without having your phone or tablet in your hand, this can disrupt your usual tasks and even impede positive relationships with others.

Take a more proactive stance in fighting the urge to check your phone constantly. You can even turn it off when out socializing or place it on silent or “do not disturb” mode. You can also keep it far away from where you normally access it.

Has mindlessly scrolling through your feed before going to bed become a habit? Your sleep will probably benefit the most from a digital detox.

Researchers found that using electronics and social media in bed can affect sleep and mood. According to the study, using social media at night may increase the likelihood of anxiety, insomnia, and shorter sleep duration.

Exposure to blue light affects your ability to sleep well as it inhibits melatonin, the sleep hormone. Blue wavelengths have a powerful effect on your sleep-wake internal body clock, keeping your mind mentally sharp and alert during a time you need to wind down.

To ensure better-quality sleep, cut down on screen time two to three hours before bedtime and dim the brightness on your devices.

Do you feel like you’re missing out on every single experience? It's the fear of missing out, also known as FOMO, and having constant access to your friends’ latest updates further feeds into this syndrome.

Each post or a nicely curated snapshot from someone’s life can make you feel insecure – leading to impulsive actions, such as booking a trip or saying yes to several social gatherings at the last minute.

If you feel this way, it is time to take a break from your devices and do a digital detox. Turn off notifications in apps that trigger these feelings and try to keep a positive outlook on other people’s posts. It helps you refresh your perspective, so you don’t feel like you're missing out.

If you notice dullness or changes in skin texture, you can blame the blue light from your smartphone. This light emanating from smartphone and laptop screens affects the body’s circadian rhythm, which can affect your sleep quality – leading to tired, dry, and lackluster skin. This kind of light can dim your glow, so keep your exposure in check.

Help your skin out with a regimen that improves dullness and moisturizes. Cleanse your face with the Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Brightening Care with 40% Active-boost serum, and hyaluronic acid leaves your skin radiant and moisturized for up to 24 hours while keeping skin bright and even-toned.

Then, upgrade your night routine with POND'S Bright Miracle Night Serum. It penetrates the skin to help inhibit melanin formation and illuminate and stimulate skin renewal at night. Made with niasorcinol, this serum-essence fights against stubborn dark spots, evens out and brightens the complexion, and refines and renews the skin.

Finally, protect your skin from free radicals throughout the day with POND'S UV Bright Sunscreen. This helps strengthen your skin, which improves its ability to hold moisture and keeps it glowing even with too much screen time.

Everyone needs a digital detox occasionally. Unplug from your devices, recharge, and come back looking and feeling refreshed.