How to Cut Back on Your Screen Time
Have you heard how damaging your device is for your health & beauty?
I’m serious, people are getting thumb injuries from texting – and one of the newest requests dermatologists are getting is for Botox in the neck (for the stubborn neck wrinkle that their patients are getting by looking down in to that little screen all day.)
I’m here to help with these 7 tips:
Set a Goal – We have goals for how much weight we want to lose, how many books we want to read and how much water to take in each day. Why not start cutting back on screen time by setting an intention for yourself? Start by finding out how much time you are currently using and decide on a healthy amount that you’re comfortable with.
Use the Screen Time Function – This built-in tool on many smart phones allows you to monitor your screen time and set limits. Parents often use them on their kids – but consider letting this handy device help you to reach your goal by limiting your access.
Get an Accountability Partner – I know this may sound a bit extreme but addiction to a device is a real issue for people. Like with any other goal, when you involve others, the collective strength (and perhaps public shaming) is sometimes more powerful that your individual resolve.
Make a Plan – You know where you are. You know where you want to go (and by when). Now, you need a path to get there. Decide how much time you want to eliminate and then start chipping away – 5, 10 or 15 minutes at a time.
Delete Apps – Part of your plan should be to figure out what apps you frequent. What apps do you spend the most time on? And what apps can you eliminate from your device altogether? Consider this the KonMari method for you cell phone.
Turn Off Notifications – You guys, there is a war out there for your attention! Those annoying red bubbles that hover over the apps and the banner alerts that float across your screen are there for a reason. You see them. You pick up your phone. App = 1. You = 0.
DND – This is perhaps my favorite feature of the iPhone – the ability to hit one button and have the digital noise of this world melt away. Ahhh. When all else fails and you can’t seem to control yourself, hit that one button and walk away.