“Try staying offline for a day, a week, or maybe even a month. Examples abound of people cutting themselves off and waking up to the wonders of the real world.”

– Nir Eyal on getting over FOMO

Wellness Tip:

Do a Digital Detox Day

How many hours per day do you spend looking at screens? (Not a rhetorical question – actually tally it up!)

We all do it. That’s modern life. And yet, from eye strain to social media-induced FOMO, tech use can damage our health in a (long) list of ways. 

Enter digital detox, where we disconnect from devices and reconnect with the world around us. Say hello to better relationships, physical and mental health, and more.

Try starting small: schedule a few tech-free hours here and there. Then, if you can, build up to a full digital detox day once per week. If life/work makes total disconnection impossible, try detoxing from specific apps. 

Find more tips and strategies here, and let us know how it goes.

Productivity Tip:

Use the Zeigarnik Effect to Avoid Procrastination

You know when you watch a juicy season finale, and for days it’s all you can think about? You just want to know what happens next!

Unfinished tasks are like those cliffhangers. Until you get closure, they stick in mind. It’s called the Zeigarnik effect, and you can use it to your advantage. 

If you’re procrastinating on a project, just make a start – no matter how small. That will keep it ticking away at the back of your mind until you finish it. 

You can read more about it here. And then… Go get started!

Routine Breakdown

Daniel Ek, Co-Founder & CEO of Spotify

Daniel Ek, CEO of music streaming giant Spotify, says that his morning routine “will sound incredibly lazy,” but “it’s all about fostering a holistic perspective in life.” He:

• Wakes up at around 6:30 am and spends time with his family.
• Does a morning workout then goes for a 1 hour walk regardless of weather conditions. “I’ve found this is often where I do my best thinking.”
• Does 30-60 minutes of reading and is ready to start his work day.

Why it works:

• Quality family time benefits everyone – parents and kids.
• Research shows that walking really does improve creative thinking.
• Let’s not underestimate the power of reading! Less stress, better memory, lower blood pressure, longer life… Is there any downside? 

Were you expecting some music in Ek’s morning routine? (We were.) Instead, the Spotify CEO delves into a book. It’s really a great way to get your brain going before you start your work day. 

What are you reading at the moment?