We're convinced that the technology we now find at our fingertips is giving us more connectivity than ever before. But, we also feel that we're quickly developing habits that are undermining all this potential.

 

Whether its that we're more easily distracted, less aware of where we actually are and who we're with or a feeling of never wanting to be outside of the 'conversation' - we're finding these transformative tools are disconnecting us as much as they are 'connecting'.

 

We’re creating a community of curious thinkers and doers exploring how digital hibernations, like a nutricious diet, can help each of us create habits for a healthier and more productive tech life.

Here are five easy steps to help you, and those around you, achieve a digital detox.

 

Step 1: Pick a day you are going to hibernate and sign up above

 

Step 2: Add an auto-response or footer to your email. “Hello. I’m on an email hibernation. Every (week/month) I take a 24 hour E-fast. It keeps me sane, helps me get other things done in my life, and actually improves my online work. I'd recommend hibernating too! Join us at www.hibernate.cc”

 

Step 3: Take your day off email. Relax knowing that the world will not end just because you don’t get back to people four minutes after they write to you. Meet up with a friend or co-worker in person, get all those other things done on your to-do list, or just stop for an uninterrupted hour and listen to your own thoughts, rather than the demands of others.

 

Step 4: Tell your friends. Let your social netowrks and other digital communities know that if they think they have the “I-need-to-check-my-email-all-the-time” twitch, there is a community of people out there who will commit to joining them in taking back control of their digital lives. 

 

Step 5: Send us a picture and a quote to let us know how your hibernation is going if you want to add your face to the movement.

Why does this idea exist? We want to explore the relationship with our tech tools and how we can thrive in the digital age, and it’s much easier to make this commitment together.

 

Is this idea anti-email? Don’t worry, we're not saying we should all logoff for good. We just feel now is the right time to consider how our constant digital connections impact our off-line relationships, our work, and our health.

 

No email for 24 hours...My fear isn’t being off email, but what happens when I get back on? E-mail-fasters have told us that, though they feared the onslaught of emails they would have to deal with at the other end would be overwhelming, in fact pushing through them in one chunk typically takes less time than the constant routine of trying to work towards an empty inbox all day. In fact, what they gained from taking that time away from the non-stop email pinging far outweighed the stress that came with that first day of email abstinence. Some of them are even going for two days a week off now. Give it a try. 

 

What else do you have in mind? Our goal is get 10,000 people committing to regular E-fasts. As we build our hibernating tribe, we’re also going to work with you to build the tools you need to fulfill these commitments: reminders to tell you it’s time to log-off, digital detox diaries, or for those who really need it, apps that kick you out of your email for 24 hours so you don’t have a choice to fulfill your commitment to yourself to live a day outside of your inbox.

 

Why 'Hibernate'? Nature has many great lessons we've not yet learnt. Hibernation is natures way of saying recharging our batteries makes survival in tough conditions that much more likely. We also think that the 'hibernate' button on our devices needs more attention. 

 

We can resist the urge to binge on our email every few minutes, building healthier technology diets that nourish us rather than keep us addicted to tech. Let us know how you get on.