Technology is one of the best things to happen to humanity. I mean I can literally log in to Amazon and order any random item I can imagine. I mean the sky is literally the limit and I can expect it on my door step the next freakin’ day. What a time to be alive.
However, like every great thing, technology comes with its share of curse. Unfortunately, we are glued to our devices, obsessed with our feeds and I doubt that our thumbs were made to scroll this much. Let's be honest, you are reading this article on a phone of a computer. Seriously, sometimes I feel like my phone is just an extension of my hand.
It’s important to make sure that today’s technology is not negatively affecting our well-being. The question is, how can we do that without necessarily cutting it completely from our lives.
Here are some ways to reduce your screen time, these techniques worked for me, so I'm pretty sure they can help you too.
1- Track your screen time on your phone and your computers.
Most phones today can show you how long you spend on each app. Honestly, just looking at the number of hours you spend on some of these apps might scare your enough to make you realize how much time you are wasting your life away. You can also download an application for your computer or your phone to track the phone usage.
Personally, I was spending a distressing amount of time each day on Instagram. Time that I could've used doing much rewarding things like I don't know... Going to the gym, having sex, I could have finished writing a whole book by now.
2- Turn off your notifications
Notifications are dangerous for a number of reasons. You are consistently picking up your phone without even thinking and you end up spending more time than necessary on your device. The average smartphone owner unlocks their phone 150 times a day. I didn’t believe it myself until I started tracking my own personal usage. So trust me when I tell you putting your phone on silence or disabling your notifications will definitely do you good.
3- Do a social media detox.
One of the best ways to help you reduce your screen time is too literally and intentionally remove certain apps from your phone. I don't have Facebook on my phone because I was spending way too much time on it. Now a days if I really need to get on Facebook I have to physically log into a computer and go on the website so on and so forth. Which is not as convenient as tapping on an app, therefore not as pleasant and therefore I don't go on Facebook. I honestly recommend doing social media detox. Just try it for a day or 2 then 3, 4 or maybe a week!
4- Block distracting websites.
Create a schedule that blocks some of the most distracting apps from your phone or websites on your other devices. You can actually use other apps in order to do so. How ironic that apps will help you with your app addiction.
5- The craziest one
Leave your phone at home on purpose. No one will die. The sky is not going to come crashing down. You can start running some basic errands like going to the grocery without your phone. Just make a groceries list on a piece of paper. I know exactly what your thinking. Who still uses paper and pen? You need to remember the benefits of phone independence especially in today’s anxiety driven climate.
I hope one of these tips will help you and if you know any other tips please share them with me.
On that note aurevoir
Bisous bisous
Sophia Tim
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