When data overload can lead to increased anxiety and decreased attention spans.
Coronavirus. Politics and elections. Masks. Social Media. Holidays filled with joy and social distancing…and short attention spans with an overload of data.
On average American adults spend more time looking at a screen than they spend sleeping. And naturally, children spend even more time in front of screens than adults. And studies show that the trend is not slowing down any time soon.
And though cell phones, computers, pads, and TVs are not bad in and of themselves, we do find overuse and too much screen time associated with lower well-being, especially in regards to anxiety and attention spans.
This week, start to give yourself a break from your devices.
Below are a few tips to help you get started.
- Maintain a schedule – Give yourself an allotted amount of screen time through the day for various apps you may have.
- Turn off phone notifications from apps you don’t necessarily need. A benefit to this is increased productivity and better workflow free from distractions if you must use your devices for work.
- Don’t use your devices in bed and charge them away from your bedroom.
- Hold yourself accountable – jot down how many times you check your phone or other devices without cause. Over time, make this number trend downward
- Find replacement activities. As mentioned in previous blogs, find replacement activities and hobbies as opposed to the television or phones, ones that require attention over a prolonged period of time on a single task; this includes reading a book, landscaping, painting, puzzles, board games, DIY home improvement projects, and many more.
Wishing you the best of health.
