Jack Averty: Why not try a digital detox and enjoy the simple things in life?

Move aside Ray Mears and say hello to new adventure expert, Rob Golledge.

If he isn’t writing about Kevin Nunes or being nominated for awards then, apparently, he’s off sleeping in the woods.

It seems a bit drastic, but he raises an interesting point - are we too obsessed with our phones and all the tech that modern life throws at us to the point that we ignore life’s simplest pleasures?

When was the last time we went for a long walk out of choice? Or when was the last time we took an interest in anything that didn’t require an internet connection?

We are all guilty of it, anything lacking technology bores us.

As children, many of us will remember spending our evenings running round with friends terrorising neighbours. But now, as adults in the modern world, evenings consist of sitting in front of the TV, checking Twitter and ignoring our other half because what’s on the internet is far more interesting than any human interaction.

Sure you may love the person that shares a bed with you at night, but that doesn’t mean they are anywhere near as funny as crazy cat videos on YouTube.

Most of the time we forget what we have eaten for dinner because we’re too busy scrolling like madmen on our smartphones, eagerly checking out what Golledge has been tweeting about to take notice of what we’re wolfing down.

Isn’t it time for a change? No more acting like a robot - we need to put our phones down and enjoy life’s basics pleasures once more.

That’s not to say we should pack our rucksacks and head for the woods with Mears, Grylls and Golledge, but we can all take small steps to reclaiming our lives from technology.

First of all, a phone ban could be introduced at the dinner table. Maybe it would do us all good to learn more about the person we intend to spend the rest of our lives with. If we spoke to them, god forbid, it could answer a number of questions, including 1) how are they? and 2) what do I buy them for Christmas? (Yes, get planning now and avoid that mad rush before Santa stops by).

Next step, after dinner, if you want to watch the television then do just that – watch it. How many are guilty of using it as ‘background noise’ with heads bent down over phones? Pick something you actually want to watch and have a shared interest in if you’re with someone – it also gives you more fuel for small talk with your beloved.

Don’t pretend you can pick up the gist by occasionally tuning your ears in and not flicking your eyes up once. No-one followed the Sopranos from beginning to end just by listening to the theme tune and hearing Tony and Silvio having swearing competitions.

Even better than watching TV, just bin it all together and go for a walk.

Groundbreaking stuff that, putting on some shoes and just wandering around for a bit to enjoy fresh air.

See, despite what Golledge may try and preach to the contrary, fresh air is not just in the woods - it is everywhere. Well nearly everywhere, so long as you avoid London and Hong Kong.

Not only is walking refreshing but it is also good for the brain. You’ll be amazed at what bright ideas and life-changing solutions you come up with while aimlessly walking around.

Heck it might even refresh you enough to finally decide to finally put that shelf up or fix that wonky table chair leg.

Our obsession with phones can be particularly damaging when it comes to the holiday seasons.

Halloween, for example, used to be a massive deal as kids. It was an excuse to go on a legitimate terror campaign against the neighbours, and get sweets and treats as a reward.

Nowadays it doesn’t seem like kids are too bothered, they appear more interested in staying at home talking to their mates on social media or playing the latest video game.

Instead of a knock-on the door this month you’ll just get a text from your next door neighbour asking if you can go round and drop him some sweets through his letterbox.

If the current trend continues like this then Halloween as we know it will be in danger, and Christmas could soon be in the crosshairs as well.

Imagine a festive lunch with no pulling of crackers and reading out the god awful jokes, but just tumbleweed rolling past the dinner table as everyone silently taps away on their phones, taking to Instagram to show all their followers how their Christmas dinner looks.

Some households’ Christmas’s may already look and sound like this, but it is never too late to change.

It is time to embrace life again. Maybe don’t go and live out in the woods in a mud hut, but try a short walk and start opening your eyes to what’s around you.

It may be hard to believe, but not everything revolves around your mobile phone.