A quick three-part user’s guide to healthier phone use by Jacqueline Nesi of Techno Sapiens.
Here are some steps you can take to put these tips into practice right now:
To prioritize connection:
- Grab your phone. Choose a nice person in your contact list. Send them a friendly text message to tell them you’re thinking about them and ask how they’re doing. Respond when they text back.
- Pick one new “phone-free” time or location to implement in your day-to-day. Maybe it’s at the dinner table, or after the kids get home from school, or while you’re sitting on the couch, or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. During the time you choose, put your phone somewhere you cannot see it. Leave it there.
To set smart screen time limits:
- Pick an app on which you’d like to spend less time. Do one of two things: (1) delete it, or (2) set a screen time limit. To do this, go to your phone’s Settings, then select Screen Time (iPhone) or Digital Wellbeing (Android). Set a limit that is lower than your current use.
- While you’re at it, put your phone somewhere that you cannot reach while you’re in bed, or, if nothing else, put it on “do not disturb.”
To spark joy:
- Unfollow at least one social media account that does not make you happier
- Think of someone you’re grateful for, and send them a text to tell them
