How to call less

Have you ever thought about your relationship with your mobile phone? How many times do you look at your cell phone a day? How many hours do you look at your phone every day? Have you ever found yourself scrolling unconsciously just wondering what you are even looking for? Because I have, and I think a lot.

In January of this year, I reached a critical point physically, mentally and emotionally. There are many factors at play (in my first year as a mother, a dog died of cancer, a global pandemic, etc.) but when I thought about what triggered me, I realized how much my phone played a role . When I check my mobile phone usage statistics, I am very sad. My average daily screen time is 6.5 hours.

It is difficult to find consistent research because numbers are usually everywhere, but here are some statistics on cell phone usage. According to an article by Inc., We click, swipe and click OhYour phone averages 2,617 times a day. A study found that people spend Watching the screen of a mobile device for an average of 9 years (This is assuming that the user is 10 years old when the smartphone is acquired, and uses 3.07 hours a day on average).

I realize that life has changed a lot since I was a child, but I often think about this topic, especially as a mother of a toddler. Cell phones and screen time are not even an idea as they grow up, because they don’t actually exist. I didn’t own my first mobile phone until my senior year in high school, and it was only used in emergencies. I have been thinking about the impact of mobile phones on our mental health, productivity and interpersonal relationships, especially the impact on young children and adolescents.

This is not to say that all this is bad. We can get a lot of good things from the communities we find online and the convenience and connectivity that we can achieve through mobile phones. Especially in the past year and a half, many of us have been isolated and lonely. Our mobile phones help us keep in touch with friends and family. At the same time, once I take certain measures to reduce the number of times I use the phone, I will realize how much I need it. So if this is something you have already considered or are trying to try, here are some best tips on how to reduce your phone use.

How to call less

Turn off push notifications.

This was the first thing I did, and it made a huge difference. I have done this for most apps, but somehow some sneaky apps like Apple News are still popping up notifications, and I will inevitably reach out for my phone. Turning off push notifications can help reduce unnecessary viewing of your phone.

No phone in the morning.

I made a rule that I cannot check my phone during the first hour I am awake. I can officially say that this is a much better way to start my day. I didn’t realize that looking at the phone the first thing in the morning set the tone for my day. Whether it’s checking the news, scrolling through Instagram, or reading emails, there is no need to do it the moment I wake up. Now, before checking my phone, I start my morning routinely, usually drinking coffee, eating breakfast, and occasionally exercising.

Do not answer the phone before going to bed.

Similar to my above rules, once I go to bed, I will try to skip looking at my phone. I noticed that it does affect my ability to fall asleep and sleep quality. I also started putting my phone in the drawer of the bedside table. If I wake up in the middle of the night, it will prevent me from getting my phone.

walk.

Walking is one of my favorite things to do, especially when I need a reset or mental health. Throughout the winter, we walked twice a day, regardless of the weather, without mobile phones. This is really good and a good way to connect with nature on a regular basis.

Set a time limit for the application.

Admittedly, I only did this for Instagram, but it is the application I spend the most time on. I set the daily limit of the application to one hour (set by my iPhone).When I first started doing this, I was Shock How quickly an hour passed. On social media, especially on IG, is a very important part of my work, and honestly, this has always been challenging. Even if I don’t always follow the time limit, I like to know how much time I spend.It makes me pay more attention how I spend my time there.

Use “Do Not Disturb”

This feature is suitable for iPhone users (Android may have similar options).In your settings You can use do not disturb mode, Mute incoming calls, reminders, and notifications received when the device is locked. You can also schedule “Do Not Disturb” within a specific time frame and allow calls from certain people.

Delete unused applications.

Another way to get rid of unnecessary interference on the phone. Browse and delete any applications on your phone that you don’t use or don’t need. I am surprised how many are on my phone and I don’t even know where it is.

Try new hobbies.

I realized how little time I spend doing things just for fun. I’m playing tennis again, and it’s great to go out and do some interesting things without using my phone. Its effect on my mind and body is amazing.

Don’t take out your cell phone while eating.

I’m not just talking about eating at home, but also eating out. I know that many of us use mobile phones to take pictures, so I understand this, but other than that, please keep your mobile phone in your bag (or at home). I don’t take out my cell phone when I go out to eat. It’s time for me to enjoy food and people who spend time with me, so I consciously don’t check my phone.

Renovated.

Craig and I are always reschedulers. This is an easy, fun and free way to change your home decor without having to buy anything new. Put down your phone, open an interesting playlist, and then try to switch your space. You might be surprised that changing something can make it feel completely different.

Leave the phone at home.

What better way to take a break from your phone than leaving it at home. When I don’t have a mobile phone, one of the things I try to do is to understand everything around me. I became more aware of my surroundings and considered what I might notice without interference from my mobile phone.

Have you done anything like this? What did you notice? Do you have any other tips to share? I would love to know your opinion on this topic in the comments. This is something I often talk about with my family and friends, and I am always curious about what other people think about it.