Since the birth of the World Wide Web in 1989, the presence of devices and digital platforms has only increased and the time we spend looking at screens seems to be never ending. With so many streaming services, influencers, and social platforms, along with the increasing popularity of generative AI chatbots, research has shown that being too “online” can be harmful to one’s mental health and relationships. As many people have become disheartened by their widespread digital footprint, they have started to gravitate toward a new trend on social media: “going analog.”
By going analog these people are making a conscious effort to reduce the presence digital platforms have in their lives, instead turning to forms of physical media, including VHS tapes and CDs and print books. The LA Times describes the movement as a way to kick digital habits “by embracing old technology and spending time on crafting projects.”
To learn more about this trend and why it is so important to take time away from screens, we spoke to Rachel Salter, a program coordinator with Acenda’s Keeping Families Together.
Online and Overwhelmed
Digital addiction, information exposure, and mental health concerns, alongside the decrease of attention spans, appear to be the main reasons for the popularity of disconnecting. Common mental health challenges that are associated with excessive screen time include anxiety, depression, social comparison, addictive patterns, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
While social media overwhelm isn’t new, advances in AI technology, rapidly updating news cycles, and pressure to grow professional productivity have also contributed to the movement.
“There are constant notifications, feeds, multitasking, working remotely, and smart phones, which can put the brain into overload,” Salter wrote. “Over time this leads to mental fatigue, lack of focus, and the feeling that nothing is ever going to get done.”
With the excess distractions and notifications across your devices, keep an eye out for the following signs that you may need to step back from your digital habits:
- If you constantly reach for your phone out of boredom, habit, or discomfort
- If your downtime consists of scrolling, streaming, or multitasking across screens
- If you struggle to leave your phone in another room, even when you don’t need it
If you identify with any of the patterns above, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of disconnecting and how you can start going analog.
Benefits of Unplugging
Using your devices less can reduce anxiety, improve focus and attention, and help you feel more emotionally stable.
“Unplugging restores a sense of control, and people typically feel more patient, relaxed; they sleep better and even have less urgency and pressure during that time,” Salter wrote.
Setting consistent limits and creating personal boundaries between you and your devices can help begin your journey toward a healthier relationship with screens and your digital presence.
Where to Start
While very few people are able to entirely disconnect from their devices, there are steps you can take to remove some of the more unnecessary distractions from your life. Salter advises the following:
- Take it slow: You don’t need to go cold turkey on your digital presence. Cutting back slowly over time can make the transition easier to stick with.
- Unplug for 10-20 minutes: Set a short time each day where you ban screen time, maybe in the morning before you eat breakfast or at night right before you go to bed. Keeping it consistent and simple will help you to get accustomed to being without a screen.
- Replace screen time: Rather than just cutting out screen time, plan an activity to replace it. Try taking a walk, journaling, reading a book, cooking a meal, or starting a new creative pursuit.
Remember that going analog is as much about adopting new habits and hobbies as it is about disconnecting from devices. Many people within the movement are swapping apps and digital tools for physical ones. For example, collecting and viewing DVDs as opposed to using Netflix or carrying a pen and paper instead of using your Notes app.
“Start with one small activity in the day where you give your full attention to it,” Salter wrote. “It can be something as simple as drinking a cup of coffee without your phone, taking a walk and observing nature around you, or even watching an entire show without looking at a device.”
The point of going analog is to feel more present and and less overwhelmed. By implementing the advice and tips above, you can prioritize your mental wellbeing while feeling more in touch with your day-to-day life.
Moving Forward
As you cut back on screen time, remember that many devices and social media platforms have been designed to fight for your attention. If you feel frustrated by your social media use or stuck as you try to unplug, consider seeking professional guidance to help break your habits.
Learn more about Acenda's Adult Therapy & Counseling Services.
Adult CounselingAbout the Authors
Rachel Salter is the Program Coordinator for the Keeping Families Together Program, overseeing a team of housing specialists who work to create housing stability for families. Salter also works as a case manager for Winslow Senior Housing, in addition to supervising another community supportive housing program in Vineland and Penns Grove.
Riley de Jong, the content & engagement strategist with Acenda’s Brand, Marketing & Engagement team, attended the University of California – Los Angeles for her undergraduate degree in Communication and minor in Entrepreneurship. She enjoys supporting her community, telling engaging stories, and connecting with others.
Sources
How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide – Yale Medicine
Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review – Cureus
Influencers want to adopt the ‘analog lifestyle’ for 2026. Here’s how you can join them. – LA Times
Analog is back, and my millennial heart couldn’t be happier – The Guardian
What are the most important advances in AI? – Stanford University
Stress and Productivity: What the Numbers Say – Business.com
