A realistic digital detox your team can keep
Digital wellbeing means a deliberate relationship with technology where tools support your mind, body, and relationships. The aim isn’t zero screens; it’s intentional use that protects attention and energy.
Why urgency hijacks attention in 2025
Tools built for speed often encode urgency. OpenUp estimates that about 28% of work time goes to email, and 76% of people check work mail after hours. Add a roughly 40% drop from frequent task switching, and you get an environment that keeps you reactive.
“When an email lands, your brain tags it as a now‐problem,” says one workplace psychologist.
Culture beats willpower. A team norm can do what solo app timers rarely sustain.
Run a daily no‐reply window for 90 minutes
Try a shared, 90‐minute “no‐reply window” each workday. During the window, you do deep work and avoid email/chat replies; exceptions route to a clear urgent path.
- Step 1: Pick a time that fits client time zones (e.g., 9:00–10:30 or 14:00–15:30).
- Step 2: Publish an urgent protocol: phone or one monitored channel with a rotating lead.
- Step 3: Block calendars, turn on Do Not Disturb (DND), and add an internal auto‐reply: “In focus until 10:30. If urgent, call ext. 104.”
- Step 4: Run it as a 3–6 week experiment. Leaders model it first.
Measure lightly, then refine
Feelings are noisy; data clarifies. Track:
- Focus hours per person per day
- After‐hours messages sent
- A weekly pulse on stress or sleep quality
Eurofound links right‐to‐disconnect policies to up to 13% productivity gains. You don’t need that exact figure—establish a baseline and look for trend improvements. Add a one‐question check‐in: “What felt easier or harder this week?”
Use tech to tame tech, not to track people
Leverage tools without creating surveillance anxiety.
- Set Focus modes, notification rules, and calendar holds—change the environment first.
- Avoid tool sprawl; one dashboard is enough.
- Ask one mindful question before opening a feed or inbox: “What’s my purpose here, and how long will this take?” If fuzzy, delay.
Make it equitable and body‐friendly
Different roles need different shapes.
- Equity: Split into two 45‐minute blocks for client‐facing teams; offer early/late slots for shift work.
- Literacy: Give 15‐minute micro‐lessons on notification hygiene, privacy basics, and time‐boxing.
- Body: During the window, try the 20‐20‐20 eye rule, a posture check, and a 2‐minute stretch. Pair the daytime boundary with an evening screen curfew to protect sleep.
This is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Consult a qualified expert for personal guidance.
A quick story from the field
Evelyn, a client services lead, feared clients would notice. Her team set a rotating “red phone,” used the auto‐reply, and kept one chat channel monitored. Week one was awkward. By week three, after‐hours emails dropped 18%, two teammates reported better sleep, and Evelyn finished a long‐stalled proposal during the window.
Try it this month
Start with one shared boundary, measure lightly, and let your own evidence guide the next step. What 90‐minute window will you protect, and what urgent path will you publish so everyone can breathe?