I was laying in bed one afternoon on my phone when I was shocked to find I had been there for 3 hours. This really upset me because I had so many things to get done, but instead I was wasting time without even realizing it. According to recent data, the average teenager spends about 7.5 hours on their phone every day. Sure you can “relax” and scroll on your phone for a few hours, but think of all the things you could’ve accomplished in those 7.5 hours spent on your phone. Instead of scrolling through Instagram, you could be practicing a new skill, completing that chore you’ve been putting off, or simply getting up and moving your body. Why waste time on your phone when you can do things that will benefit your future self?
I’m sure we’re all well aware of the issue of screen time, but how do we actually conquer this problem? I’m here to help you out with some tips to limit your screen time and make the most of this year.
1.The 20-20-20 rule
For starters, recent studies encourage people to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This states that every 20 minutes you look at a screen, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will prevent eye strain and may encourage you to take a break from your device.
2.Get important things done first
Another way to get yourself off your phone is to simply make a to-do list. Personally, I love to-do lists, I make one almost everyday to keep myself on task. For example, let's say you come home from school with chores to finish, a messy room, and a ton of homework. You may feel like ignoring it all to give yourself a “small” break on your phone. Instead, you could make yourself a tiny list of what you need to do and set aside time for your phone once you’re done. I'm well aware this isn’t fun in the moment, but your future self will thank you. When you finally check everything off your list, you’ll be able to truly relax during your phone time and enjoy the well-deserved break.
3.Put your phone on do-not-disturb during homework
One thing I love to do while studying is listen to music. But sometimes skipping a song turns into clicking a notification, which turns into endless scrolling. A good way to prevent this is by putting your phone on do-not-disturb. This allows you to only see the important messages and notifications you receive.This tip may seem basic, but, trust me, it works.
Maybe after reading these tips you're still skeptical. But how are you going to have a productive and successful year if you're spending 7.5 hours on your phone everyday? Listen to my advice, and you might even find yourself enjoying nature, having more time to reflect, go to the beach, and hang out with friends. Instead of living through other people by watching their lives on a screen, you can take your life into your own hands and figure out who you want to be this year.
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