We’re surrounded by screens: laptops, desktop monitors, mobile phones, tablets. We’re a culture of almost constantly being on some kind of screen. Now, with a lot of people in quarantine and working remotely, there’s been a huge surge in screen time. Reports show that the average adult spends about 3½ hours a day using the Internet on their phones, according to a 2019 study from the analytics company Zenith. This report only mentions how much time is spent on a mobile phone and doesn’t include the time we spend staring at other screens. During the pandemic, a study published in Cambridge Open Engage found that screen time had increased by 20-30% on average during the crisis.
The point is, we spend so much screen time that we have to reclaim the time we’ve lost (we’re losing) and take control of our digital well-being and our productive time. Here’s how you can set better screen time boundaries:
Save interesting articles on a watch later/read later list
It’s easy to get succeed into a blackhole of Youtube recommendations or reading recommendations. Once you’re hooked, you have to watch the next explainer video or the next article about murder hornets. While it’s fine to gain knowledge, it shouldn’t be a huge time suck! You can watch it later or read it later at your own leisure, so save it into a list for the meantime.
Do a cleanse
Cleanse your smartphone. Delete all apps that you rarely use. If there are apps on your phone that you haven’t used in the past 6 months, then you might want to start with those.
Turn OFF your notifications
Apps are designed to try to get your attention and keep you engaged for as long as they can. So, turn off your notifications. Most things can wait, and if it’s urgent or an emergency – you’re probably going to get a phone call. Otherwise, respond or check at your own pace.
Allot a quiet time for yourself
During this quiet time, don’t check your phone or other devices. What you do during this time is all up to you, as long as it doesn’t involve staring at a screen. You can cook, read, take a well-deserved nap, go for a run, etc. Reclaim your time.
Better yet, allot a time for checking social media and email
The need to stay connected all the time has a tendency to take over our lives. The news will still be there after an hour. Your friend’s lunch will still be up on Instagram even if you don’t check your phone right now. That email will still be in your inbox. The world won’t explode if you miss one post or one email. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Screens are not the enemy, but they could be if you let them run your life. Use them to incorporate more efficiency and productivity in your life. Do you have any tips for reducing screen time? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp