Cut down your screen time to be more productive

Most people rely on their gadgets daily—some use them for studies and work and some use them for fun. According to a Nielsen report in 2016, American adults allocate more than 10 hours of screen time per day. Excessive screen time could have several negative effects, including brain damage and vision problems.

Aside from these health risks, too much screen time also decreases your productivity. Here are some ways to cut it down:

Observe how much screen time you spend for a day

Similar to managing your finances, tracking your usage of screens daily would allow you to analyze which gadgets and apps take up most of your time. By realizing you spend too much time in a specific gadget or app, you can come up with a plan on how to lessen it by considering which time of the day you often use them. You may also include the location on where you use it. This way, you will be able to schedule when to use it and how much time you could reduce.

Try a new hobby that does not involve any screens

Watching movies, reading news and blogs on the internet, playing video games, online shopping, chatting with friends—these are some of the hobbies that most people do that involve screens. Try to find activities that would interest you without using any gadget. Some examples include cooking (use a cookbook and not your tablet), painting, any sports, writing, hiking, reading actual books, meditating and many more.

Try new activities that do not involve the use of a screen like cooking, writing or hiking. (Source)

Eat without using your phone or watching TV

Old school parents would always require their children to eat their meals at the dining table where there is no television. But nowadays, dining rooms are already furnished with TVs, and you can also watch anything through your phone or tablet and bring them to the dining room. Instead, focus on your meal and take it as a rest from all the screens that you have been dealing the whole day.

Disable your notifications and schedule your email times

There will always be notifications when you are online and you will always be tempted or curious to check them out, thus, increasing your screen time. Removing your notification would mean less distraction. And you would not be tempted to check your phone every time.

Some people are also distracted by emails. There are some who always checks them. Checking them from time to time would not make you any more productive. It could even make you more anxious when you are at work. By not checking them from time to time would allow you to focus on your job.

There are software like “Freedom” and “Self-Control” that allow you to block certain applications for specific periods, per Forbes. Try to use them to limit you from checking your emails and social media and to eventually cut down your screen time.

Socialize in person

We usually chat and text our families and friends to be up to date. Why not invite them to eat out or to try any new activity? This way, you will be able to socialize without the use of any gadget. Plus, there is a chance that you will not be tempted to check your phone when you are personally talking to someone.

These are just a few ways to cut down your screen time. Some of these may be challenging, but with self-discipline, they could eventually boost your productivity.