The Screen-Time Trap: Strategies for a Healthier Digital Balance
Last week, despite a lot of time spent away from technology during the day, I noticed my screen time had been high. It became apparent use of my phone and laptop during working hours had been hiding a growing use of technology outside of work.
This brought to light the fact that I was clearly using my phone more than I would like. What followed was the realisation that other passions such as reading, and levels of exercise had subsequently fallen too.
Increasing screen time is a growing concern, with numbers across the globe showing that people average 6 hours and 40 minutes of screen time per day. This works out at just over 200 hours of screen time per month.
Are you looking to reduce your screen time and return to passions away from technology? Today, we are going to look at the tools I used to take control of my screen time and these can be easily applied to you too.
What Counts as Screen Time?
Screen time is classified as the amount of time spent using a device such as a computer, television, mobile or games console. Typically, most modern devices have a way of tracking the amount of time logged each day. The screen time to be wary of is non-deliberate use of technology, which sneaks into daily habits and serves as an alternative to boredom.
The Positive of Reducing Our Screen Time
For most people, achieving a day without screen time is simply unrealistic, given how important technology is to function in a number of workplaces. That being said, there are often opportunities to reduce our amount of screen time, which carries positive effects:
- Boost Your Mood: Reduced screen time has been shown to decrease stress levels, as well as lowering levels of anxiety.
- Increased Awareness: Taking time away from screens opens you to more engagement with your physical environment and social interactions.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Blue light emitted from screens has the ability to disrupt sleep patterns, so reduced screen time, particularly at night, aids better sleep.
- Reduced Eye Strain: Giving your eyes a break from a screen helps to alleviate symptoms of dryness, irritation and fatigue.
Tips to Reduce Screen Time
When it comes to utilising practical tips to reduce screen time, the key is to start small. Avoid going cold turkey and attempting to implement all possible options to reduce screen time, as there is a high likelihood of falling back into higher screen use.
- Screen-Free Areas: Create an area where screens are prohibited. Given the impact of blue light on our sleep, the bedroom is a great place to start.
- Screen-Free Time Zones: Set times of day where screens cannot be used. Early and later hours of the day typically are the easiest to implement, due to work commitments.
- Deliberate Screen Time Only: Aim to use screens only when you really need or want to. Try to avoid flippant use of screens and technology to fill the void of boredom.
Alternative Passions
Going back to the personal benefits I saw from reducing my screen time; by implementing these tips my reading and exercise levels have seen a major increase, which has left me feeling more energised day-to-day.
Another major benefit of reducing our screen time when it gets too high, is granting us back time to use however we want. As a way of adding motivation to reducing your screen time, consider any hobbies or passions that you want to explore, which will be benefited by making this change.
Reduce and Thrive
Both in the hobbies I wanted to get back to and strengthening my own mental health, reducing my screen time always has the desired outcome. We can both appreciate the benefits of technology, whilst understanding that over-use can create some bad habits within our lives.
If you are feeling that your screen time has been on the rise, then now is the time to act to gain back more time. Start by tracking your screen time for one week and share your results with us!
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