How Technology Can Be Addicting

 

How can you limit tech distractions?

(Written for http://www.wellbeing.place/home/2021/4/12/how-technology-can-be-addicting)

Did you know that internet users spent an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social media in 2019, and that 70% of office emails are read within six seconds of arriving? That is a lot of time on a device where you could be doing other things. While technology can be a wonderful resource to connect to friends and loved ones and learn more about the world and current events, it can also get in the getting of enjoying your life and experiencing things.

Can you be addicted to your phone? Absolutely. Addiction is about using something to cope and getting to the point that you can’t live without it. Many things or activities can become addicting if you do them too often or too much. 

There are several things you can do to break the habit of constantly checking your phone:

• Don’t say “can’t”: Choose to take charge and tell yourself, “I don’t check my phone more than once an hour,” instead of, “I can’t check my phone more than once an hour.”

• Remove the distraction: When you are with other people, need to get work done, or just need a break from technology so that you can enjoy life more fully, put your device on silent or take it to another room so you won’t be tempted to frequently check your phone.

• Set a time limit: Decide beforehand how much time you are going to spend on social media at a time (be that 5 minutes or 20 minutes) and stick with it. Set a timer if need be to remind yourself when you need to log off so you won’t lose track of time scrolling through the endless feed.

• Replace bad habits with good ones: Instead of being glued to your phone and constantly checking it when you’re bored, replace it with a book or another activity, like talking to people in-person, going on a walk or trying out a new hobby.

Choose one thing today to help you lessen the amount of time you stare at a screen. You will be surprised at the many enjoyable opportunities and memories you can create.