A Beauty Editor’s Guide To Digital Detoxing In 2026

In honour of the new year, I have decided to embark on a digital detox, of sorts. The other day, my phone congratulated me for less screen time than usual. I clicked through to the notification, and it detailed my daily average, which had decreased to just seven hours. That’s 49 hours a week spent on my phone – or 2,548 a year. In that time, I could have become fluent in a new language or flown from London to New Zealand and back 43 times. I could even have learnt to fly a plane (it takes around 60 hours of flying for a private pilot licence, if you were wondering).

Of course, with screen time like mine, I would struggle to go cold turkey. But what I can do is make small changes to reduce the amount of exposure. Namely, dusting off pen and paper, replacing my alarm so that I don’t have to look at my phone the second I wake up and broadening my cultural horizons. Goodbye doom scrolling.

My desire for what I’m calling a “soft digital detox” isn’t just about how I can better use the time I spend on my phone, but it’s about retraining my brain against that always-on, always-accessible mindset. Consultant psychologist Dr Bijal Chhed explains, “When people engage in constant digital activity, their nervous systems remain in a state of heightened activation. Every notification triggers a stress response, and waiting to check social media and messaging apps keeps your brain in a state of anticipation. This contributes to anxiety symptoms and makes it harder for your nervous system to settle into a relaxed state.”

Below are the small switches that I’m making in my daily life to reduce my technology dependence. Alongside this, Dr Chhed recommends app limiters, turning off notifications for non-essential apps or “using grayscale mode, which makes the interface less visually stimulating.” She also suggests therapy, “which can be a useful tool for addressing the emotional drivers behind unhealthy technology use.”

Scroll on to decode everything you need to know when you’re embarking on your own digital detox with advice from an expert.

My top digital detox tools

The phone-free way to wake up in the morning, the Hatch Restore 3 is a transformative piece of tech that will do far more than your average alarm clock. Sitting atop your bedside table, the device emits soothing sleep sounds (customisable and science-backed with over 80 on offer) to guide you into a restful slumber. There is also a sunrise function to provide a gentle rousing compared to jarring audio. This works by tapping into the body’s natural circadian rhythm, signalling to the brain with illumination to suppress the sleep hormone melatonin and transition into wakefulness. It also acts as a table lamp.

Smythson

2026 Soho Weekly Diary with Slide in Mara

The very act of putting pen to paper encourages the brain to better remember what you are writing. For visual learners especially, handwriting encourages deeper processing, which is why paper diaries have maintained their favour in our increasingly digitalised age. Smythson’s Mara diary is an annual staple for many of the Vogue editorial team, beloved for the combination of the week-to-view page and a to-do list. It’s bound in a croc-embossed calf leather exterior, while each pale blue page is gilt-edged for a luxurious feel. The Aspinal 2026 A5 Week to View Leather Diary (£100) is another popular option – and its refillable alternative is always on hand for beauty and wellness editor Morgan Fargo.

It is hard to find time in our day for mindful exercises like journalling, but it’s a calming, offline activity that can help centre the mind and minimise our reliance on our phone’s Notes app. The Five Minute Journal keeps it simple with daily prompts that should only take, as you may have guessed, five minutes. You are encouraged to detail what you are grateful for, what would make today great and daily affirmations. It also acts as a reflective time capsule that you can revisit to track your goals.

iDiskk Safe Timed Lock Box

If you’re looking to reduce your screen time, but your willpower is tested every time you put your phone to one side, consider a timed lock box. It is important to consider whether you will need your device for an emergency before use, so I found that the best time to call upon this gadget is during family dinners to remove distractions or when you’re looking to unwind in the evening, allowing you to reach for a book instead of responding to notifications. There is no possibility of being tempted here, with the timer ranging from one minute to 99 hours. Extend its purpose beyond phone jail for snacks, cigarettes or game controllers, too.

Casio’s classic digital watch has stood the test of time for one simple reason: it is reliable. This rite-of-passage timepiece has been put through its paces in extreme environments and made it through to the other side without dropping a second. Anecdotes have extended from South Pole expeditions in –35°C and military operations, to hurricane survival, where the hardy watch remained operational throughout. Which is all to say that it is a fantastic alternative to checking your phone for the time.

I find myself reaching for my phone out of boredom more than anything else, which is why, in a bid to reduce my reliance on it, my New Year’s resolution is to incorporate more cultural excursions into my weekends. The Art Pass gives you 50 per cent off major exhibitions at the Science Museum, National History Museum and the like. I’m also interested in the Tate membership, which is £90 for the year and gives you free exhibition entry.

This newly-launched gadget is like 2026’s answer to the iPod shuffle. There are no screens, no wires, and you can work offline to stream your Spotify and Amazon Music playlists without needing your phone. It’s ideal for runs when you just want to disconnect, plus the eight-hour battery life will see you through audiobooks and podcasts.

FAQs

How does technology lead to burnout or depression?

Burnout is getting increasingly common in our digital age, and a large part of that is on account of the mini black mirror permanently affixed in our palms. “Technology blurs the boundaries between work and personal time, meaning you’re never truly off the clock. You might be checking work emails at 11pm or thinking about work messages during family time, which prevents genuine rest and recovery.” Depression, too, is often linked with technology as both a cause and consequence, reveals the expert. “People who are struggling emotionally often turn to their devices as a form of escape or numbing. When you step back from constant digital engagement, your sleep quality typically improves, which has a profound effect on mood regulation and anxiety levels.”

Should we do full detoxes, partial detoxes, or gradual changes?

She recommends a gradual change in our habits. “Complete abstinence from technology sounds appealing in theory, but it often backfires because it’s unsustainable and creates a sense of deprivation,” the psychologist says. “Gradual boundary setting is more effective because it allows your brain to adjust slowly and helps you build sustainable habits, rather than fighting against temporary restrictions. This can include removing certain apps from your home screen, turning off notifications after work hours or keeping phones out of bedrooms when winding down for sleep. These changes feel manageable and allow you to notice the benefits, which motivates you to continue. Once you’ve successfully implemented one change, you can add another.”

How would you know whether tech use is unhealthy?

“To assess whether someone’s technology use has become unhealthy, it’s important to look at patterns of behaviour, emotional responses, and functional impact, rather than screen time alone,” says consultant psychologist Dr Bijal Chheda. “Perhaps someone is staying up until 2am scrolling, despite knowing they’ll feel exhausted the next day, or if they’re choosing screen time over spending time with family members they care about. These patterns suggest the relationship with technology has become problematic, and is now affecting personal health, relationships and career. It’s not simply about the number of hours spent online, but rather the impact on overall functioning and quality of life.”

How do you set realistic boundaries with phones and apps?

According to the pro, this begins with “an honest assessment of which technology use is necessary and which is habitual. Begin by tracking your screen time over the course of a week to see where your time actually goes, and to get data on your patterns of behaviour.” After that, you can take action. “Once you understand your habits, you can identify the most problematic areas. If you’re checking social media 50 times a day but only need emails for work, that’s where to focus your efforts. Then, set one specific boundary rather than trying to overhaul everything at once. This might be no phones during meals, no screens in the bedroom, or checking email only at designated times. The boundary needs to feel achievable. Finally, find replacement activities that genuinely appeal to you, which don’t involve technology. Whether that’s going for a walk, reading, journalling, cooking, or spending uninterrupted time with family or friends, the overall goal is to replace the habit rather than simply remove it.”

What strategies can we use for breaking habits like doom-scrolling or compulsive checking?

Dr Chheda tells us, “Breaking automatic habits requires understanding what need the behaviour is meeting. Are they seeking connection? Distraction? Stimulation? This step is especially important for neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD or autism, where stimulation can play a regulatory role. Once you understand the need, you can find healthier ways to meet it. For example, if scrolling provides stimulation, short movement breaks, or hands-on activities can help. If it’s about emotional escape, grounding techniques or structured downtime may be more effective. Therapy can be particularly useful in this process. At Nos Curare, we can help identify triggers and develop personalised strategies that account for attention patterns, sensory needs, and emotional regulation. Importantly, the aim is progress rather than perfection. The goal is to make the old habit harder to perform and the new behaviour easier to maintain over time.”

What are the benefits of a digital detox?

“Sleep quality typically improves within the first week of a digital detox,” she informs us. “Without blue light suppressing melatonin production, people fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. This improvement in sleep then creates other benefits. Better sleep improves mood regulation, reduces anxiety, and results in better focus. Your nervous system gets time to settle, which reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety, too. The cognitive benefits are significant as well. With better sleep, memory often improves and your ability to concentrate becomes sharper. Additionally, procrastination decreases when you’re not constantly distracted by notifications that pull your attention away. This may mean you can engage more fully with work, hobbies, or relationships. Some people also experience improved self-esteem as they spend less time comparing themselves to others online. These benefits don’t require complete abstinence from technology. Even moderate reductions in screen time can provide noticeable improvements in wellbeing.”

Meet the expert

Dr Bijal Chheda is a consultant psychologist and founder of Nos Curare Mental Health Clinic