Break your phone addiction in four ways
On a daily basis, smartphone owners often unlock their devices 150 times. This gives a glimpse of how breaking phone addiction is a genuine challenge. And as a generation that largely depends on the internet for full support, we are well aware of the addictive nature of mobile devices and the immense mental struggle it takes to reap the benefits of our mobile phones without succumbing to its conscious seductive design.
In general, cell phones are convenient and useful. One way to judge it is that you are probably reading this helpful article on your phone. However, we are fully aware that these devices can easily become a burden if we give them the chance.
The question then becomes how we keep our mobile phone habits in check to avoid addiction. Is there anything we can do or use to reduce our dependence on cell phones? See the following four tips
- Avoid charging your phone in the bedroom
One of the most effective methods to break or avoid phone addiction is to not give in to the temptation to connect to your phone while you sleep.
By keeping your mobile phone out of the bedroom, you will avoid many of the negative consequences of using it too much. Such effects include difficulty sleeping, difficulty communicating and a reduction in your ability to be intimate with family or friends.
- Try creating specific times as phone-free
If you find yourself scrolling through your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night, maybe you can replace that activity with something more useful.
You can try going screen-free for the first and last hour of each day to break your idle scrolling habit. To relax each day, you can develop a set of rituals to follow first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Resolve not to check your phone again until you finish your morning routine the next day. So such routines before touching the phone can be exercising, reading a book, planning the day in the diary, reflecting, cleaning or meditating. It may not be easy at first, but consistency and persistence to avoid or break the phone addiction will ensure that you escape its negative effects.
- Get rid of distractions by uninstalling apps and turning off websites
Find out which apps are causing you to lose focus and delete them. For example, social media apps can be very addictive. Therefore, it can be very useful to eliminate the temptation to check platforms like Instagram and co to break or avoid phone addiction.
For work-related apps like slack or email, you can simply disable notifications for a certain period of time to reduce the notifications that prompt you to pick up your phone.
- Try to imagine that smartphones don’t exist
It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time when phones were just phones. Switch the apps on your phone to their analog ancestors to reduce screen time. Instead of relying on your cell phone as a clock, you should get a real alarm clock or clock.
Get your iPod charged and go for a run without your phone. Taking a break from internet interaction is refreshing. And taking a break from your smartphones is even more interesting.
Final thoughts on breaking phone addiction
In a nutshell, breaking your phone addiction and reducing your usage has huge benefits. It allows you to experience reduced stress and anxiety; increased focus and productivity; more free time; more meaningful relationships; improved critical reasoning and ingenuity; increased awareness and other health benefits.
