We are always available and always want to keep an eye on everything. That’s why we check our cell phones up to 90 times a day – every 11 minutes on average. If the battery is empty or if we don’t have our smartphone within reach, we get restless. High time for more analogue composure. Why are we glued to the screen 24/7? The phenomenon is called FOMO – “Fear Of Missing Out”. The fear of missing something is deeply rooted in our consciousness, controls habits and makes us stare at our smartphone, tablet or computer every free moment. This causes unconscious stress and allows addiction-like processes to take place in the brain, studies say.

These tips will help you switch off – without any apps or other tools:

1. Clear your bedroom of smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs – and switch to an alarm clock.

2. Check WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media channels or private emails no more than twice a day. Anyone looking for you urgently can still call.

3. Just leave the cell phone at home. For example, when you go shopping or for a walk – or when you have an appointment with friends.

4. Include an offline day at the weekend. Read, play, cook – or just do nothing. You’ll see: seems strange at first, then very liberating.

5. Do everything you need to do online at once. You can use the offline time before and after for other tasks or yourself.

6. Give your full attention to the person you are talking to – without looking at your cell phone. This is appreciation of the first order and gives every conversation more intensity.

7. Play with your loved ones to see who can go the longest without a cell phone. Stack your devices on top of each other and whoever takes out theirs loses.

8. Switch off your mobile phone or laptop more often instead of putting it on standby. So there is no need to “just take a quick look” – who wants to wait 1 minute for the system to be ready?

What is your best tip when it comes to «digital detox»? Write it in the community!