We’re all plugged in. It’s almost hard to believe anyone could survive even one day without phones, tablets and computers anymore. Technology has improved life for so many people in so many ways. We have access to nearly unlimited information at our fingertips. We can talk to anyone at anytime, whether by voice call, text message or email. Business moves faster, media coverage is endless, even medical treatment is becoming more streamlined. But is there a downside—is there such a thing as too much technology? Many experts say that too much tech can lead to decreased productivity, sleep loss and strain on our relationships.
So the question for us is, “How do we optimize our screen time?” The idea is to cut out some of the unnecessary time-wasters, distractors and stressors. If you can focus in on what aspects of your technology are helping you through the day and what’s holding you back, you will have a better handle on your technology. Here are five easy tips to get started.
Delete Time-Consuming Apps
We all have those apps that we just can’t put down. Maybe it’s a game or a specific social media platform. Unless it’s something you actually need, it may be time to let it go. Just think of all the time wasted and imagine all the productive things you could be doing instead.
Turn Off Alerts
Some of the biggest contributors to decreased productivity are those never-ending push notifications. Every time the phone buzzes, it dominates your focus until you check it, only to realize that it really wasn’t worth checking at all. Even small interruptions are to recover from. It takes a long time to fully recover focus. Turn of notifications and check them all at one time. You’ll still be getting all your information, and you’ll be more productive through your day.
Put It Away While You’re Socializing
Nothing is worse than that friend who can’t converse without checking their phone every ten seconds. It’s just not conducive to a healthy relationship. Don’t make your friends think you wish you were somewhere else, just put it away and keep it there, that way there’s no temptation.
Swap Digital Reads For Paper
Doesn’t anyone miss the feel of a newspaper or magazine? There’s something nostalgic and remarkable about quenching our thirst for content the old fashioned way. Digital content is great, but it also means that we are likely to get interrupted by that text, email or call. Paper reads have much the same content without the interruptions.
Take A Break
This is the simplest and most important tip: take a break every now and then. Put it all away and enjoy some time to yourself, or with friends and family. Make a cup of coffee, sit back and sip it slow. It gives our brains some time to relax, and by the time it’s over we’re ready to get back at it.
Of course, we cannot eliminate technology from our lives altogether—nor would we want to. The benefits of technology are, across the board, far too great. By following these steps, and taking a minute to evaluate how you allocate your screen time, you can go a long way towards improving how you live with technology each and every day.
– Egan Montgomery, egan@p7r.68b.myftpupload.com