Between work, social media, video games and television streaming, the average person gets a lot of screen time each day. Multiple studies have shown that excess screen time correlates with multiple adverse health markers, including depression, anxiety and diabetes. This may mean that significant health changes can be made simply by limiting your screen time.
Keep a Book On-Hand
Reading is an excellent screen-free way to focus on a subject you enjoy while keeping your mind sharp. Opt for a fiction novel to de-stress at the end of a long day without being inundated with pesky blue light, or choose a nonfiction book to gain a new skill and support your mental health or personal growth.
Set Limits
A limit is just that and implies that you’re not trying to cut screen time from your life entirely. Use a tracking plugin to monitor the time you’re spending on certain apps or websites. Being aware can help you make more conscious choices in the future.
Take a Walk
We most often find ourselves scrolling on social media when there are a few lulls throughout the day. If you know you have 10-20 minutes before you can move on to a new task, consider using that time to take a quick walk around the block. This extra movement can do wonders for your health, and getting outdoors can be great exposure to vitamin D. Experts say that sitting is the new smoking; don’t hesitate to use a lull to simply stretch or get in some extra movement each day.
Choose Puzzles
Puzzles are classic tools to sharpen the mind and relax. Whether you opt for a traditional jigsaw puzzle or choose a word or number puzzle, they are great alternatives to screen time in the evenings. A crossword or sudoku book can be an easy swap for your phone or tablet when out and about.
Uninstall Nonessential Applications
After years of hearing “there’s an app for that,” you likely have a handful of applications on your phone that you don’t use or only use to kill time. Consider uninstalling any games or apps that don’t have a lot of value aside from being a time-sink. You can even do this with social media to limit your time by requiring that you consciously log into the web browser version to access it.
