thelesterlee
Technology can certainly be bitter-sweet. The benefits it has imposed on daily lives are almost incalculable. That said, there is such a thing as ‘too much of a good thing’ and screen time certainly falls into this remit. It can be distracting, time-consuming, and even addictive. What is more, the negative mental and physical health side effects are becoming ever more apparent. That is why it is important to take some time away from technology and the beloved screens. Something that can be easier said than done. So, if you are looking for ways to reduce your screen time here is some inspiration to help you cut downtime on tech.
Leave your phone (or turn it off)
Your smartphone is probably the biggest culprit when it comes to screen time. It is all too easy to pick up your phone and get lost in a vacuum of social media, stories, and online shopping. Resisting the urge to glare down at your handset can be hard, so much so that the best way to avoid picking it up is to leave it behind or lock it away. If you can make a conscious effort to go out without your phone. Alternatively, lock your phone away in a separate room. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from retrieving it but you will be less likely to pick it up and start using it if it is not right next to you.
Remove the unnecessary
If you were to go through all of the apps on your phone it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that there are some on there that you don’t really need. Apps you seldom use. Find these apps and delete them. Whatever is not there cannot be used.
It is not only unnecessary apps to tools that you could remove. Many smartphones will be able to show you how you use your phone and where you spend the most time. If for example, your phone indicates you spend the majority of your time on social media then why not have a social media detox and remove your social media apps? Or if you are a YouTube Junkie, remove it. It doesn’t have to be a long-term move, just a temporary step to free up your screen time. It is also a good idea to use this time tracking function as a way to set time limits on your usage. Consider allowing yourself a set time period each day to use the most popular or time-consuming apps.
Ensure your tech is up to scratch
If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, laptop, or tablet you want to ensure the time spent there is productive and necessary. If you are using slow loading or outdated technology it can dramatically increase the amount of time you spend looking at a screen. That is not to say you need to rush out and by the latest tech, you can simply undertake a health check of your existing hardware. A great place to start is to follow these steps to free up disk space. Overloaded disc space can be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to slowing up hardware.
Take regular breaks
If you use a screen for work, and chances are you do, be sure to factor in regular breaks. Make time to get up from your desk and stretch your legs away from your screen, use your lunch break to get outside and go for a run or walk, take up a new sport or consider making an audio call over a video call. Audio calls can be a great way to get away from the screen and still carry out work-related activities or use the time to have a much-needed break.
Disable notifications
Although they serve a purpose, notifications can be incredibly distracting. Further, a lot of these notifications will not improve your day. Do you really need to see the latest post in a random Facebook group you joined years ago? Do you need breaking news at any given moment? When you read a notification and open it up you are more likely to move on to something else and keep using your screen. To avoid this, go to the settings on your relevant device and disable as many unnecessary notifications as you can.
Don’t take your screen to the bathroom
It’s unhygienic and unnecessary. If you have to, read a book, a paper book.
