10 Simple Ways to Spend Less Time on Your Phone
Introduction
We all promise to use less phone time, but somehow hours just pass browsing social media or stumbling upon random videos. Phones simplify life, but at the cost of our attention, energy, and actual-life moments. You don't have to eliminate your phone entirely, but it's helpful to establish a few habits that prevent it from dominating your day.
These are ten easy things to do to use your phone less and appreciate the world more around you.
1. Don’t Check Your Phone First Thing in the Morning:
The initial few minutes upon waking determine the tone for your entire day. When you pick up your phone immediately, you begin your day responding to messages or browsing updates rather than cantering on yourself. Attempt to leave your phone in a different room overnight. Instead, use a plain alarm clock. Begin your day with water, stretching, or simply with quiet time.
2. Turn Off Unnecessary Notifications:
Most of the notifications are not significant. Each time the phone vibrates, it distracts you from what you were doing. Head to your settings and disable alerts for apps that don't need constant updates. You would be amazed at how serene your day will be when your phone is not flashing every other minute.
3. Keep Your Phone Out of Reach When Working or Studying:
If your phone is within arm's reach, you'll reach for it, even unconsciously. When you need to concentrate, have it in a different room or even across the room. Out of sight really is out of mind. This one habit will make you get more accomplished in less time.
4. Set “Phone-Free” Times Each Day:
Choose certain times when you won't touch your phone. It may be when eating, an hour before bedtime, or when you're with loved ones. Consider these little breaks for your brain. It may seem odd at first, but you'll begin to anticipate the peace.
5. Delete Time-Wasting Apps:
We all have our apps that we open mindlessly, social media, games, or bottomless news feeds. If you can't delete them outright, at least take them off your home screen so they're not quite so accessible. You'll find yourself opening them less when they're not sitting at eye level.
6. Use “Do Not Disturb” Mode:
If you require quiet time, turn on Do Not Disturb. It silences calls, texts, and notifications from disturbing you. You can even schedule it, so it automatically turns on at specific times, such as when you're sleeping or working. It's a little adjustment that makes some room in your day.
7. Leave Your Phone Behind Sometimes:
You don't need your phone in hand often. If you're going for a quick walk, having dinner with friends, or reading outside, leave it at home. Initially you will feel a sense of discomfort, but soon you'll understand how liberating it is not to check it constantly.
8. Make Real Plans Instead of Endless Texting:
Texting can drag on for hours, but real conversations take just a few minutes. When possible, call or meet someone instead of chatting all day through messages. You’ll feel more connected, and you’ll spend less time glued to your screen.
9. Track Your Screen Time:
You can get most phones to indicate how much time you spend on each app. Check it weekly and pay attention to your habits. You don't need to judge yourself, just observe where your time is spent. Then you can begin reducing it gradually. Even 15 minutes less a day makes a difference.
10. Fill Your Time with Something Better:
You can't simply quit using your phone, you'll need to replace the habit with something else. Read a book, take a walk, cook, write, draw, or hang out with friends. The more substantive things you do, the less you'll want to scroll out of boredom.
Conclusion:
Phones are amazing devices, but they should never dictate your daily routine. The aspiration is not to stop using your phone, it's to use it more mindfully. Tiny adjustments — such as silencing notifications, imposing boundaries, or placing it out of reach make a gigantic impact in the long run.
When you begin paying attention to your own life rather than constantly glancing at your screen, you'll find you feel less stressed, more concentrated, and more in command. And that's something no application can provide.
You must be logged in to post a comment.