Digital detox is harder than an ice challenge: what a global experiment has revealed
The modern world has presented us with a paradox: throwing yourself into a barrel of ice water is easier than putting your phone away for at least a couple of hours. This is the conclusion of an international study of TheChallenge.org project, in which more than 9 thousand people from 47 countries took part.
Here's What We Know
The experiment included two programmes: 31-day Digital Detox Challenge and the so-called Ice Bath Challenge. In the first, participants pledged to limit screen time - just two gadget-free hours a day and a maximum of half an hour of social media. In the second one, it was a daily immersion in ice water.
The result was unexpected: only 32.5 per cent of participants were able to complete the "digital detox", while more than 80 per cent were able to cope with the ice baths. The authors of the study note: addiction to the screen is so strong that for many people psychological discomfort is harder than physical stress.
Comparison of Ice Bath vs Digital Detox Challenge charts. Illustration: The Challenge
Ironically, those who did complete the Digital Detox Challenge experienced tangible well-being benefits:
- 90% reported a better mood
- 85.6% reported feeling calmer
- 82.3% reported lower stress levels.
Karol Banaszkiewicz, founder of TheChallenge.org, admits, "We expected challenges, but we didn't think it would be twice as hard for people to give up the screen as it is to give up the heat." According to him, the struggle for human attention today is becoming one of the main hidden threats to health.
The conclusion is obvious: smartphones and social networks have become not just a habit, but a powerful source of addiction. And if an ice bath requires willpower, a digital pause requires a real lifestyle overhaul.
Source: PR Newswire
