Back in March, nearly everyone realized that their phone’s unprompted screen time reports showed huge increases in usage. And we didn’t have to wonder just how our time was spent with phone in hand, because the feature graphs it. If you’re human, your time was labeled “social networking”—likely actually hours spent doomscrolling or seeking distraction in even the loosest acquaintance’s Facebook posts. Forgive yourself if you’ve depended more than usual on technology. Getting lost in our screens has been one way in which many have retained sanity during the pandemic. But how do you let that distraction go?
1. Set an alert.
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If you’re the disciplined sort, most social media apps have a setting that alerts you if you’ve gone over a set time on the app. The key to success here is actually following through.
2. Let your phone die, or turn it off.
No, seriously, it’s freeing. There’s just something about knowing the phone is not on and that you’d have to take extra steps to use it.
3. Consider why you’re reaching for your phone.
Replace the mental stimulation with physical books, magazines, or crosswords. Replace the entertainment with board games, bursts of creativity in arts or crafts. Replace the connection with calling or writing a letter to a friend or loved one.
