How to Use a smartphone wisely, how much time do you spend per day on your smartphone? A study found that the average age group of 20-35 years uses a smartphone for 7 hours a day. Unmitigated, as many as 79 percent of them immediately check their smartphone within 1 minute after waking up (hey, you are in this group, right?).
There’s nothing wrong if you, as an adult, have to use a smartphone for hours on end if that includes productivity. However, you also have to know the wise boundaries. The reason is, using a smartphone for a long time can not only make your eyes tired. Mental health can also be affected by this condition.
How to Use a Smartphone Wisely
Therefore, try to be more proficient in using a smartphone starting with the following simple method.
1. Use a reminder app
The first solution to overcome the difficult condition of being separated from a smartphone is to use an application that can help you manage the length of time you use your smartphone. Both iOS and Android platforms have applications to deal with this condition.
Like an application tracking the number of daily steps, this application also allows you to set your own HP usage limits. Software like this will usually give a warning when you are about to approach the specified limit and several other reminder features.
2. Ask yourself
Needless to say, you have also used a cellphone when you were in an awkward situation, such as running out of things to talk about with the other person. But if you are ALWAYS in this state, the next time you experience a similar incident, ask yourself before actually doing it: ‘should I do this?’.
Try to be more ‘present’ in real-world communication. If it’s too awkward to have to start a conversation, meditating and practicing mindfulness can be the solution.
3. No smartphone while eating
If you invite other people to eat together, no matter how casual, make sure you don’t involve your smartphone while doing it. Anyone would feel uncomfortable to eat with someone who is always busy with his cell phone.
Apart from politeness reasons, health reasons are also another important reason. Scientists found that people who are used to eating while struggling with HP have a 43 percent higher risk of developing obesity. You also become less aware of the amount (and calories) of food that goes into it, so don’t be surprised if suddenly your favorite clothes no longer fit.
4. A day without social media
If you feel so anxious, afraid, and so on when you’re not constantly checking (often without realizing it) social media, stop for a moment. For example, make one day a day without social media (if you can, without your phone altogether).
It doesn’t matter if you take it out on less productive things like watching TV or movie marathons, reading comics, and so on. Just make sure beforehand that you really plan to take a break from social media and replace it with other activities.
5. Smartphone-free area
Do you take your smartphone with you to the bathroom? Ugh, besides there are lots of germs and bacteria lurking around, the threat of your cellphone falling and being exposed to water which makes you have to spend more money is quite big. The solution, avoid bringing this one device to the bathroom.
You can also apply this in other areas. For example, there are no smartphones above the bed, study room, and other rooms or areas where you are productive or rest.
6. Turn off notifications
If you have a habit of responding to every message (email, WhatsApp, DM, and so on) that appears via a notification on the screen, try the following method: turn off all notifications for the application. The reason is whether you realize it or not, these notifications seem to order and guide you to respond immediately.
In fact, you actually have control over what you should do with your smartphone. By turning off notifications, you are doing what you should be doing: checking and replying to messages of your own free will (when you are ready to open the app), not because of these ‘demands’. If your family or someone close to you comments on this matter. Explain to them honestly about your efforts to reduce dependence on cellphones.
7. Commitment
No matter how genius and how many ways you find to overcome this condition. It will be meaningless if you are not really committ to doing it. Changing habits isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Committing to yourself is a challenge in itself. But this time, make sure you really fulfill it and be disciplin in carrying it out. Avoid giving too much tolerance to yourself, OK?
So, those are various tips for using a smartphone wisely and correctly.
