Divorcing devices: how digital detox helps Hongkongers ‘carve out moments’

From phone-free habits to weekend breaks, residents are embracing digital detoxes to ease stress, improve sleep and reclaim focus in an always-on culture

In the second instalment of a five-part Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Fiona Sun looks into how residents are embracing digital detox, as experts warn that excessive screen use is linked to anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.

For Robert Broad, stepping away from electronic devices has become part of a self-care routine he developed after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 56-year-old recalled how spending long hours in front of screens while working remotely affected his physical and mental health and reduced the time he spent with family and friends.

“I became a lot more anxious, I wasn’t sleeping as much, I gained weight – all of those things started to snowball and take a toll on me and my relationships,” he said.

Determined to restore a sense of balance, Broad began with small, manageable steps that could develop into lasting habits.

When he returns home from work, he puts his mobile phone in a drawer. He has disabled news alerts and keeps notifications on only for his parents and anyone who may need to reach him in an emergency.

He has also switched his phone to greyscale to make it less appealing and checks his emails in batches rather than as they arrive. He stops checking them at 8.30pm each day.