8 Insightful Ways on How to Lessen Screen Time

In this day and age, being on our phones or any kind of gadget is part of the daily norm. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but being too attached to it can take up so much of our time and power. 

If you find yourself in this very predicament, we have provided some tactful ways on how to lessen screen time through this guide down below. And most importantly, regain control and power of your daily life outside your gadgets and build more discipline.

1 Set app limits.

It’s so easy to get distracted with your phone while working, or even on your laptop when you’re supposed to work. But here you are, checking on updates that aren’t a priority. With that in mind, setting app limits on your gadgets can help in blocking off certain apps that encourage doomscrolling and potential distractions. 

Consider it like a time block,  like setting limits from 9-5 if you’re at work or even in school. Your phone settings may have these features or you may download app-blocking apps specifically to your gadgets to help you out.

Being realistic here also helps. If you’re someone who uses their phone for 4 hours a day for leisure purposes, try to cut it in half.

2 Have an activity/hobby menu.

Mind you, scrolling and using your phone is false dopamine. You use it for a burst of energy when you’re bound to get bored.

Thus, having a list of activities that boost natural dopamine can promote more offline productivity and less unsolicited phone usage. Such activities can vary per person, but some suggestions you may want to consider include:

1. Getting natural sunlight outside
2. Turning on music and having a dance party
3. Following a guided meditation audio
4. Cooking a meal you love
5. Having a good nap
6. Trying a new thing in your neighborhood
7. Eat nourishing food

3 Set alarms.

Use technology to your advantage rather than it do the opposite! When you make certain time blocks related to scrolling or using your ohone, it’s best to time it so you don’t fall into the danger zone. Plus, it gives you a sense of urgency to do the task at hand and stick to your plans for the day.

4 Turn off notifications.

Having your notifications on makes one prone to getting distracted, pulling them out of their flow to use their phone. Resolve this by turning off your notifications on certain apps so you can fully focus on your tasks and get things done. And also, live in the present more.

5 Keep your gadgets outside the bedroom.

The bedroom is your safe haven, a place that promotes relaxation and calmness. Thus, it’s ideal to place your gadgets in a different place so you’re less prone to distractions and getting exposed to blue light, which makes it harder to sleep. Moreover, it also helps you avoid revenge bedtime procrastination.

6 No gadgets on the dinner table too!

If you live with your family, keep your gadgets elsewhere so you can socialize with them. Especially when it’s potentially the only decent time to see them, being in the moment with them is extra valuable.

7 Take breaks.

This tip is extra helpful for those who look at a screen for work or school to get work done. That gives them a lot of exposure to the screen. Hence, stepping back from said screen can give their eyes and bodies a break. To further help them, they could stand up and look at any other item that isn’t a screen. If they’re near any greenery, that can help soothe them from all that exposure overwhelm.

8 Make plans!

A lot of us use our gadgets to kill time, but why not use our time more wisely and intentionally? You can still use your phone, but you can balance it with other activities that won’t keep you too preoccupied with it. Therefore, having plans set in stone and scheduled lets you focus on other important aspects of your life and reconnect with your surroundings. 

For example, you booked a workout class after work to release some steam from working on a screen for too long. Or you’re having lunch with a close friend after a busy morning workday online. Those plans keep you busy and in the best, productive way.

Takeaway

Learning how to lessen screen time is a journey with its equal share of ups and downs. But what it teaches us is how to properly set boundaries and discipline ourselves to avoid potential distractions. As long as you take it day by day, you will see and feel your growth and become mentally stronger around your screen time. Just remember that there’s so much life outside your gadgets, and new opportunities await when you know your limits and boundaries.

For more short culture and self-help guides such as this one, head on over to the Lauvblog here.