#im trying new formatinh

[study-core-101]

Tips to Reduce Screen Time

Last summer break, my screen time went up by a lot. I had nothing to do and I was bored. And the difference from before was enourmous. I felt drained and tired from just being on the phone and then angry/discontent with myself for it. It was not nice. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only that has ever felt like that. So I decided to compile a list of things I did and other tips I heard about because, damn, it is so hard to came back from that.

Delete or block addictive apps after a certain time usage

Addictive apps, like Tiktok, Instagram, etc are one of the main causes of phone addiction. It's a key factor to reduce their usage or taking them out of the equation. Personally, when I deleted TikTok I felt disconnectes from my peers, so instead I found a fuction in my phone (pretty sure all Samsung and Iphones have it and dont know about others) that lets you set a limit and then blocks the app. So if you set 30 mins for Tiktok, once they run out you cant use it anymore, ergo you cant spent 3 hours doomscrolling.

Find or reconnect with hobbies that dont requiere a screen

Another one of the main reasons behind too much phone usage is boredom (or loss of attention span). The cure? Hobbies and fun activities so we dont run to our phones. Some hobbies may be hard at first (because of the short attention span social media often causes) but it is possible to slowly rebuild it. Some fun ideas:

Reading

Journaling

Origami

Bracelet making

Crafts

Sports or gym

Baking

Unplug or similar apps

(I swear this is not a hidden ad, I just dont know how to call this section). I have this app, you can see the name, which was reccomend to me and that works wonders in my opinion. Basically, before you can access a spreviusly selected app, it makes you go through a password and every 5 minutes it interrumpts you to repeat it (which only happens in the time period you select). I dont know if there are similar apps (if anyone know, let me know and I´ll add them to the section) but I found it really helpful, specially at night (which is the time I activate it) because it forces me to go to sleep instead of a 3am doomscroll.

Practise time-off

Keep your phone locked away. In a locked box, a block for all apps, give it to a friend, relative or roomie, whatever works for you. Do it for a few hours, start simple (one or two) and keep increasing. It will help with the phone dependency.

Schedule time for screens (or off-screens)

Limit your phone usage by creating a rutine about it. Example: 5pm to 7pm is phone-time / all devices are off between 10pm and 10am. Scheduling time for using them is more hard to mantain that scheduling time without them, in my opinion, but it may not be everyone experience.

Good luck reducing your screen time!!