4 Tips To Help You Spend Less Time On Your Phone

You see it everywhere – people and families with their heads down, focused on their phones, and not socializing with each other.

If you feel like you or your family spend too much time tethered to technology, try implementing these tips to help unplug and open your eyes to the world around you.

1. Measure How Much Time You Spend On Your Phone

How long are you really on your phone each day? If you’re like me, you know you’re on it more than you should be, but actually finding out is a scary thought.

Apps like Checky, Moment, BreakFree and Quality Time track the time you spend each day on your phone. The truth hurts, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?

2. Schedule “Tech Free” Moments During The Day

This is something my husband and I do every few months. We get into a slump and find ourselves more absorbed into our gadgets than being productive. Every evening, we make a rule to put all technology away by 8:00pm.

That includes phones, computers, and tablets. In its place, we read, play a game, or work on a puzzle.

3. Turn Off Notifications

You won’t be as tempted to check your phone if it isn’t buzzing every few minutes.

4. Have A Dedicated “Lock-Box” When You Have Guests Over

Throwing a party, or just having the neighbors over for coffee? Create a designated place where everyone drops their phones when they come in the door (you too). That way the digital world won’t be a distraction while real human interaction is taking place. We tried it and it works like a charm. Conversations are more engaging, there’s actual eye-contact, and everyone gets their phone back when they leave. Magic.