A workplace digital detox experiment revealed key insights about smartphone habits, notifications, and restoring focus.
In February, the Wisephone employees accepted the challenge to use digital devices less. The goal was to help the team develop healthier habits surrounding technology use and become more present to enrich their lives.
To prepare for the challenge, we sent out a staff poll to assess their digital habits and gauge the impact at the end of the month. We gained many interesting insights.
45% of employees said digital addiction affects their lives
Do you think digital addiction impacts your life? Use this checklist to find out.
The goal was to do one screen-free activity each day of the week. Employees tracked their success at the end of each week and shared photos of their adventures.
“It really did force me to stay present more, and I had a lot of fun with a bunch of the challenges.” —Holly
As part of the challenge, we created several resources, including a calendar filled with suggested activities to help employees indulge in a bit of self-care and stay screen-free every day. A few employees followed the calendar, but most skipped around to find activities that fit into their schedules.
Do you want to give it a try?
Download the Calendar
In addition to the calendar, each week brought employees the opportunity to build a valuable skill, empowering them to confidently regain focus and thrive—even after years of constant digital stimulation.
40% of poll participants agree or strongly agree that it’s more difficult to concentrate on tasks that don’t involve a digital device, such as reading a book
For example, during the first week, employees practiced mindfulness. Research shows that doing mindfulness exercises can improve focus, concentration, and memory. If you want to improve your own mindfulness, try incorporating these exercises into your routine this week and notice the difference.
“I felt like the mindfulness exercises were really useful. Very good practices for just life in general! My favorite part is how the tasks brought me closer to the people around me." —Brendan
92% of poll participants said they were willing to silence all smartphone notifications for 24 hours
During the second week, we challenged employees to choose one day to silence their phone notifications for 24 hours. Research shows that notifications don’t just interrupt your concentration; they impact your cognitive control and attention.
But the good news is that you can reset your brain! A BMC Medicine study found that cutting smartphone use to under two hours a day for just three weeks led to significant improvements in sleep quality, mood, and overall well-being.
Are you ready to see the impact for yourself? Take the next step by downloading the “Day Without Pings Pledge” and commit to experiencing better focus and well-being firsthand.
“I watched a sunset, lit a candle and sat with it, took a long shower, sat by a window and daydreamed, invited friends over for dinner, visited family members, watched the stars, and snuggled with my pet, Bella.” —Kyle
23% of poll respondents reply to notifications right away, and 46% respond after finishing their current task
Building on these findings, during the third week, we challenged employees to create more screen-free time each day. This resource helped them get started: “Screen-Free Dopamine Hits.”
For the final week, we invited employees to participate in activities to boost their creativity. This is one of the first things digital addiction takes from us. Allowing our minds to wander without distraction is the foundation of invention. Who knows what we are capable of creating with a clear, focused mind?
If you want to boost your own creativity, these activities can help.
Overall, the challenge was a huge success! Eleven of the 14 Wisephone employees participated. Want to experience similar results? Take the first step: download the Device-Less Month Calendar now and start your device-less challenge today.
Get Your Copy
