TimeOut

Digital Wellbeing Examples

Discover real-world examples of digital wellbeing practices that help people maintain healthy relationships with technology in their daily lives.

Digital Wellbeing Examples Healthy Tech Habits

Digital wellbeing examples provide concrete illustrations of how people successfully manage their technology use to enhance rather than detract from their overall well-being. These real-world practices demonstrate that digital wellbeing isn't about avoiding technology entirely, but about using it more intentionally and purposefully.

From simple boundary-setting techniques to innovative gamification approaches, these examples showcase diverse strategies that different people use to maintain healthy digital habits while still benefiting from technology's advantages.

Morning Digital Wellbeing Examples

The Phone-Free Morning Hour

Sarah, Marketing Manager: "I keep my phone in another room overnight and don't check it for the first hour after waking up. Instead, I use this time for journaling, light exercise, and planning my day with a physical planner."

Benefits experienced:

  • • Reduced morning anxiety and information overload
  • • More intentional start to the day
  • • Better sleep quality from phone-free bedroom
  • • Increased mindfulness and presence

Graduated Morning Check-ins

Mike, Software Developer: "I use a progressive approach where I check my calendar first, then work emails, and finally personal notifications. This prevents me from getting sucked into social media or news first thing in the morning."

Implementation strategy:

  • • 6:30 AM: Check calendar and schedule
  • • 7:00 AM: Review priority work emails
  • • 8:00 AM: Personal messages and updates
  • • 9:00 AM: Optional social media check (5 minutes max)

Workplace Digital Wellbeing Examples

Focus Block Scheduling

Lisa, Content Writer: Uses 90-minute focused work blocks with complete notification silence, followed by 15-minute breaks for checking messages.

9:00-10:30 AM Deep Work
10:30-10:45 AM Check Messages
10:45-12:15 PM Deep Work

Digital Minimalism at Work

James, Project Manager: Maintains only essential apps on his work devices and uses dedicated times for different types of digital communication.

Email: 9 AM, 1 PM, 5 PM only
Slack: Notifications off except urgent
Phone: Calls only during work hours

Family and Evening Digital Wellbeing Examples

Device-Free Family Time

The Rodriguez Family: Implements a "basket hour" where all family members place their devices in a designated basket during dinner and one hour afterward for family activities.

Family Rules:

  • • All devices in basket from 6-8 PM
  • • Family dinner without distractions
  • • Board games or outdoor activities after dinner
  • • Children earn screen time through completed chores

Results after 3 months:

  • • Improved family communication
  • • Children's increased attention spans
  • • More creative play and activities
  • • Better bedtime routines

Evening Wind-Down Routine

Alex, Nurse: Uses a gradual digital sunset approach, progressively reducing screen exposure as bedtime approaches to improve sleep quality.

8:00 PM Switch to warm lighting, finish work emails
9:00 PM Social media and entertainment apps off
9:30 PM All screens off, reading or meditation
10:00 PM Phone in another room, sleep preparation

Creative Digital Wellbeing Examples

The Physical Challenge Approach

Maria, Student: Uses an app that requires completing physical exercises or steps to unlock social media and entertainment apps.

Daily Requirements:

  • • 50 jumping jacks → 15 min Instagram access
  • • 2,000 steps → 30 min YouTube access
  • • 10-minute walk → 20 min TikTok access
  • • Complete workout → Unlimited entertainment apps

Digital Sabbath Practice

David & Emma, Couple: Observe a 24-hour digital sabbath every Sunday, using only essential communication for emergencies.

Sunday Activities Instead:

  • • Cooking elaborate meals together
  • • Reading physical books and magazines
  • • Nature walks and outdoor activities
  • • Board games and puzzles
  • • Face-to-face socializing with friends

The Replacement Habit Strategy

Tom, Entrepreneur: Replaces mindless scrolling with productive micro-habits by placing specific items where he usually keeps his phone.

Bedside: Book instead of phone
Coffee table: Notebook for ideas
Desk: Fidget toy for break times

Social Accountability Groups

College Friends Group: Created a group chat specifically for sharing daily digital wellbeing wins and challenges, with weekly check-ins.

"Day 3 of morning phone-free hour complete! ✅"
"Struggled with Instagram today, trying the 5-minute timer trick"
"Anyone want to try a digital detox weekend together?"

Student Digital Wellbeing Examples

The Study Session Protocol

Jessica, University Student: Uses the Pomodoro Technique combined with app blocking to maintain focus during study sessions.

25-Minute Study Block:

  • • All social media apps blocked
  • • Phone in airplane mode
  • • Only study-related websites accessible
  • • Classical music or white noise

5-Minute Break Rules:

  • • Physical movement encouraged
  • • Quick message checks allowed
  • • No social media scrolling
  • • Hydration and stretching

Reward-Based App Access

Marcus, High School Student: Earns entertainment app time by completing homework assignments and physical fitness goals.

Complete math homework +30 min gaming
Read for 30 minutes +20 min social media
Exercise for 20 minutes +25 min YouTube

How to Implement These Examples

Start Small

Choose one example that resonates with you and implement it for a week before adding more changes.

Customize to Your Life

Adapt these examples to fit your schedule, responsibilities, and personal preferences.

Find Your Community

Share your digital wellbeing goals with friends or family for accountability and support.

Continue Your Digital Wellbeing Journey

Digital Wellbeing Tips for Busy People

Quick, practical strategies for improving your digital habits even when you're short on time and dealing with demanding schedules.

Get tips →

How to Improve Digital Wellbeing

Step-by-step guide to developing better digital habits, from assessment and goal-setting to implementation and long-term maintenance.

Learn how →

Ready to Try These Digital Wellbeing Examples?

Start implementing healthy digital habits with Time Out—the app that makes digital wellbeing engaging through fitness-based challenges and rewards.

Download Time Out