Screen addiction is one of the many unhealthy habits that ruin your lifestyle in many aspects. When you are addicted to your devices you are not just stressing out your eyes but your mind as well. Invested in the screen also keeps you unaware of your surroundings and that comes under bad social ethics. Are you trying to cut down screen time? In the following article, we are sharing some helpful ways to limit your daily screen time for better health and lifestyle.
Delete time-consuming apps
Some apps just keep you hooked and suck all the time. Notice all such apps and delete them from your phone. Usually, these are social media apps where you keep scrolling for fresh content. By the time you close it you have already wasted a few hours and then you regret it. It is better to delete the apps and use the web version when you absolutely have to use it. Web versions are not too user-friendly especially on phones so it will not keep you hooked to mindless scrolling.
Read physical books/magazines
Read actual books and magazines. The ones which you can hold in your hands and go through. Even though online books and magazines are quite convenient and readily available on the go, but they increase your screen time. It also completely ruins the purpose of book reading where you just connect to the story without distractions. Reading on a kindle is still better. But reading on phones could be really annoying with the constant notifications and distractions.
Turn off unnecessary push notifications
Push notifications were invented for ease and convenience but they keep attracting you to the device. To cut down screen time, turning off push notifications from unnecessary apps is important. You could save a lot of time by turning notifications off. When there will be no notifications on the screen, you will not be intrigued to pick up and check. Usually, notifications make us curious and we start using the phone.
Switch color filter to Gray scale
iPhone has the option of switching the color filter. You can turn on the gray scale where everything will be gray and white. It will not look very pleasing to the eyes and your screen time will tone down. Usually, we get attracted to colors and subconsciously get hooked to scrolling pictures and visual content. With gray scale on, there won’t be any attraction left and you won’t lose the track of time.
Have screen free zones in your house
Have designated corners or areas in your home where no one is allowed to use devices. When you are there you will have to indulge yourself in other available activities away from screens. It is a really healthy and effective practice to cut down screen time subtly. You can make an activity room with different types of activities like reading corners, puzzles, and board games, etc where devices are not allowed at all.
Rule of no screen at dinner table
Make it a rule to allow absolutely no screens at the dinner table. It will not only enhance family bonding but reduce overall screen time. Secondly, focusing on the food makes it more nutritious as per psychology. You can also set a rule of no screen time at the end of the day while having a 30-minute conversation with your spouse. Both of you can share about your day or anything you want without getting distracted by screens. It will strengthen the relationship as well.
Place your devices away from your bed
Avoid keeping your phones or other devices beside or under your pillow. It is not only dangerous but causes an increase in screen time as well. In the middle of the night when we wake up, we tend to check our phones and often get carried away ruining our sleep. Sleep is very important for a healthy mind and body. So it is better to keep your devices away from your bed in order to avoid using them in the middle of the night and early morning right after waking up.
Screen addiction is real and we have discussed some easy ways to cut down screen time. You will be doing yourself a favor if you reduce your phone addiction.
