If you are having trouble staying focused, it might be beneficial to try and “unplug” (take some time away from your smart devices). In fact, studies have shown that people who regularly unplug are more happy, productive and present.
Tip #1: Try an App
Ironically, there are a lot of amazing apps designed to help you unplug!
Flipd: Lock your device to avoid distractions!
“Flipd requires active usage. In other words, you need to want to reduce your screen time. The app has two options, the “Light Lock” or the “Full Lock.” The “Light Lock” is self-control based. Users open the app and start the timer to count how long they have been consciously unplugged. In the “Full Lock” mode, users are blocked from the apps of their choosing for a certain amount of time. The app has features such as a schedule with reminders to disconnect, a Flipd community to stay motivated, and a wellness hub. The wellness hub includes guided deep breathing, therapeutic sounds, pep talks, and meditation sessions.”
Offtime: This app is great for a full-on digital detox.
“The app is designed to let you unplug without missing urgent matters. It lets you whitelist contacts who are able to pierce through your downtime, like your parents, spouse or children (great for parents too), but otherwise shuts down apps, calls, texts, and emails.”
Freedom.to: An app, website and internet blocker.
“Freedom can block distractions—both websites and apps—on all of your devices, simultaneously. No more blocking Instagram on your computer, only to immediately open it on your phone. If you start a session, your distractions are blocked everywhere.”
Space App: Designed to fight phone addiction
“SPACE App is designed to help users understand their phone usage, break phone addiction and to find their phone life balance.”
Tip #2: Create Zones
This is one of our favorite tips! Create device free “zones” throughout your home. This might be your desk, kitchen table or even living room. Get your family to adopt this practice and use this new environment to connect without having the distraction of your phones…like at the dinner table. 🙂
Tip #3 Schedule
If you are struggling with the temptation of looking at your phone, try to get into the habit of setting up short breaks away from it. For example, avoid looking at your phone for the first few hours of your morning. Another great option is to schedule out your breaks by adding blocks of time to “unplug” to your daily calendar.
Tip #4 Audit
Did you know? Most devices offer a report of the amount of time you’re spending on your phone, as well as what applications you are using the most. Take a few minutes to run a quick audit to see what your personal usage is currently at, and set future goals for trying to decrease that time. As an added challenge, have your friends and family participate as well. Self-awareness is the key to making changes. Many students/people truly have no idea how long they are on their screens.
As always, please let us know if you found these tips helpful! Our daily lives can be so stressful, it’s important to try to alleviate that by adopting healthy and mindful practices.