ARE YOU A SLAVE TO YOUR PHONE?

Published On - May 31, 2022

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ALWAYS ON THE PHONE…

Nowadays, everyone has a phone and has become a slave to it. A phone can be really useful but there are many downsides to a phone and the internet, especially how distracting and addictive it can be.

We’ve made our phones, clocks, playmate, happiness, a window to the world, and everything. We are always on our phones while sitting, standing, between conversations, and before going to sleep at night. The list is endless. Phones were designed to be used, but unfortunately, they’re using us.

Many of us struggle to study, finish tasks or be productive because we procrastinate too much on our phones. Someone once said, technology is an obedient servant but a terrible master.

Ask yourself are you are a slave to your phone or its master.

There are 7 practical steps to help you move from being a slave of your phone to its master.

So, Without further ado, let’s jump right in.

  1. TUCK YOUR PHONE TO BED AWAY FROM YOU

This is the hardest one. Most people struggle to keep their phones far away from them when they want to sleep and have the habit of going through their phones right after they wake up.

Why is that?

This is because we set alarms on our phones and after it goes off in the morning, you see some notifications popping up and we end up spending the early hours of the morning on our phones.

What should you do?

a. You should replace our phones with an alarm clock so that when you turn off the alarm on the clock, you won’t be tempted to check your phone. You could use the early hours of the morning doing something productive, like reading a novel, writing in your journal, etc.

b.Put your phones far away before you go to bed.

2. SET SCREEN TIME LIMIT

We spend more time on apps like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, snap chat, tick-tock, etc. To reduce the time we spend on those apps, set a screen time limit. Try not to go over the limit and gradually reduce the limit to help you get used to it.

3. CUT THE CALLBACKS

Notifications keep us hooked on them. That’s why you spend hours on your phone. So you have to cut the callbacks. Turn off the notifications of most of your applications and also reduce the number of apps you have on your phone. Delete unnecessary apps you’ve installed on your phones as this helps you structure your time according to how you want to use them, not how your apps want you to use them. You could also uninstall addictive apps like Instagram, Facebook, etc. And use them from your browser instead.

The larger the number of apps you install on your phone, the greater the number of notifications to get you distracted.

  1. IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS

You may mindlessly scroll through Facebook or switch between apps every couple of seconds. This may be because you have a short attention span, a reason you’re addicted to your phone.

Try to stay focused on your task. You could make use of tips that would help you improve your focus.

  1. KEEP YOUR PHONE OUT OF SIGHT

You should work only on your desk and whenever you feel like going on your phone, do it somewhere else. This is subconsciously programming your mind to be productive.

When your phone is right next to you, it makes it more likely for you to get distracted and eventually go on it.

Before you get to work, put your phone on the other side of the room to avoid any distractions on it.

Separating the area you work from where you have fun on your phone will make it easier for you to be productive at your desk.

  1. PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL

This is an important step you must take. It is much easier said than done, but you’ve got to put in the effort. Try to practice self-control for anything, not just your phone. For example, if you need to work but you’re tempted to play games on your phone, control yourself to not give in to that temptation.

Once you practice self-control, your self-will gets stronger and it would be easier for you to stop being a phone addict.

  1. MAKE THE TIME YOU SPEND ON YOUR PHONE USEFUL

Install useful apps like Duolingo, focus, etc. On your phones, these apps would help you make good use of your time doing something productive. For example, learning a new language, or reading for a test is something productive you could do on your phones rather than playing games or scrolling through your social media.

Never let your phones be your master or take the place of your loved ones.

You and your family can demarcate some phone-free zones in the house, like the dining table or the toilet. Phone-free timing like lunchtime or a specific time in the evenings and maybe even phone-free days. You can turn this into a game for whoever breaks the rule will have a fun punishment.