How to Limit Your Phone Screen Time
Most of our lives have improved in the modern era, and technology has a significant influence on it. And the smartphone is one of the most widely used pieces of technology that people worldwide can’t get enough of. An all-in-one gadget that may serve as a computer, camera, calculator, alarm clock, entertainment system, navigation system, and even a way to link your bank accounts. With all the little perks of the smartphone, it is no wonder that individuals are hooked on this portable do-it-all. However, there are certain drawbacks when individuals get addicted to the gadget too much. And if you want to learn how to control the time spent on your mobile device, then continue reading the article to find out how.
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Why spending too much time on your phone is bad for you?
There is no denying that smartphones and the apps they support are effective time and effort-saving tools, but relying too much on one gadget could cause turmoil and disorder if it malfunctions.
Spending too much time on your smartphone might cause long-term eye irritation and damage in addition to making you overly dependent on it. Furthermore, using your phone for extended periods will harm more than just your eyes. Overusing smartphone-enabled social media apps can also distort your standards and give you a false sense of reality, which can undermine your self-worth and lead to self-doubt.
Plus, spending too much time on your phone a few days before an exam can take away precious time from your studying which could lead to a bad mark once left unattended. It is quite ironic how smartphones help us save so much time by having so many tools that can make our tasks easier, yet eat up all the time saved and even more through its various apps.
How to limit your phone screen time?
You have decided to look up ways to spend less time on your phone, even if there is a greater than 50% likelihood that you are reading this on your phone. This could be because you want to put your phone away for a few days due to an impending test or because you want to start over and live a life that is less dependent on a smartphone. And that’s what we’re talking about today. Please be aware, though, that the success of these suggestions will rely entirely on your commitment to reducing the amount of time you spend on your phone and may differ for each individual.
1. Set a screen time reminder
Assuming you started using the phone while it was fully charged and continued to use it until it shuts down entirely, the majority of smartphones nowadays can be used for five or more hours. Even though this can be a really amazing accomplishment, it’s also one of the things that encourages using your phone excessively. Try using your phone to establish a screen time reminder that will alert you when you are already using it for too long.
You can edit the time it takes for the reminder to go off on most phones and set it to a time you see fit. This can help tell you when you have already used up the time allocated for browsing through your phone according to your schedule.
2. Plan activities with your friends
Being with your friends personally is the best method to avoid continuously browsing through your feed to see where your pals have been. Go out with your pals and engage in fascinating activities to divert your attention. This can help you connect with your pals and prevent you from using your phone excessively. This arrangement accomplishes two goals at once.
Additionally, you can get much-needed exercise if the activity you and your pals have planned involves physical activities like biking, swimming, or hiking. It’s hitting three birds with one stone if you will.
3. Call instead of chat
Calling someone rather than talking with them when you want to discuss anything is another strategy to cut down on the amount of time you spend on your mobile device. Because the person you are calling will be focusing all of their attention on you, calls are much quicker at getting to the point and you can obtain answers to your questions nearly immediately. Additionally, you eliminate the temptation to browse around your phone while you wait for the person you contacted or talked with to respond.
Yes, calls can be sometimes expensive especially if your service provider has a limit to the amount of call time you get, but the time saved from having to wait for a reply and scrolling through your phone while waiting for a reply will be worth every penny. Calls are also a much more intimate form of communication as you are talking directly to the receiver of the call and not just reading words you have typed.
4. Set an automatic on/off schedule for your phone
If you have trouble with putting away your phone especially when it is time to sleep, then we advise that you set an automatic on/off schedule for your phone. This can be found in the settings section for most smartphones and only takes a few moments to set up. Once set, your smartphone automatically powers off at the designated time even if it still has some battery left, and powers on at the time you set it.
This can help you limit the time spent on your phone, especially during the night as you can set an automatic power off schedule for the proper time to sleep. Since the phone’s power gets completely cut off as opposed to a reminder when setting screen time reminders, this is perfect for those individuals who have trouble with discipline and lack the willpower to let go of their phones when it is time to sleep.
5. Uninstall social media apps and games
The apps that operate on a smartphone, particularly social media apps and games, are among its most time-consuming and addictive features. You can counteract this by uninstalling these apps to reduce the amount of time you spend on your smartphone. Yes, you would lose most of the exciting features of your smartphone, but you would also accomplish the goal of spending less time on it.
Your phone won’t become useless because it will still include the essential apps that let you text, call, browse the web, take notes, and much more. Additionally, you can start by deleting a couple of these apps first, and then gradually work your way up to uninstalling all of your social media apps and games if you feel that doing so would be too much. Additionally, you may always choose to reinstall these programs whenever you’d like, so you won’t be too shocked.
6. Keep your phone on silent mode while studying
You can take a more subdued approach by keeping your phone mute while studying if your primary objective is to reduce the amount of time you spend on it when the test time arrives. This can help you become more concentrated and steer clear of distractions like pointless alerts that could happen while you’re studying. You might never be able to tell when someone is calling you in an emergency, so be sure to have your vibrations turned on when you get calls.
7. Read books and revisit old hobbies
Reading a few books and novels is another excellent method to divert your attention from your phone. As long as you are reading in a well-lit place, reading books does not cause as much eye strain as scrolling through your social media feed. While reading a book, you can also expand your vocabulary and discover a wealth of fascinating new information. Reading promotes creativity in the brain as well, particularly when it comes to fiction since it compels the reader to see the author’s vivid characters and settings.
While we’re talking about diversion, how about resuming a once-discarded hobby to further divert your attention from excessive smartphone use? You might want to retrieve your dusty guitar and learn to play some new songs, pick up your old bike that has been sitting in your house for years, or even pick up your knife and start making amazing meals like Gordon Ramsay. As long as you can enjoy life once again and escape the confines of your smartphone, the possibilities are unlimited.
8. Involve your friends in your goal
It can be challenging to follow all of these suggestions by yourself, especially if you have no one to encourage you to do so. For this reason, involving your friends in your desire to reduce the amount of time you spend on your mobile devices can be a terrific idea. Since you are all pursuing the same objective, this can help you and your buddies become closer.
Since you are now able to phone or meet up with your pals instead of just chatting, this can further strengthen your bonds with them. While dining alone, no activity can feel fulfilling and enjoyable, and cutting back on phone use is no exception.
Conclusion
Maintaining a balanced and healthful lifestyle requires limiting phone screen time. Even though cellphones are incredibly convenient, using them excessively can have detrimental effects on mental health, reduce productivity, and strain the eyes. You may take charge of your smartphone habits by establishing reminders for when you should set aside time for screen time, being social, phoning rather than texting, and even deleting time-consuming apps. Reading, engaging with friends, and incorporating hobbies into your goal can all help to promote a significant change away from excessive phone use. In the end, controlling your screen time gives you back time for relationships, personal development, and general well-being.
Carelle
Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.
