Are you spending too much time on devices and want to make sustainable changes? As much as we want to completely limit our screen time, it can be difficult when we have become reliant on technology to stay connected with others. 

Making some small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference to how we feel mentally. 

Turn off push notifications

Receiving constant notifications is informative but it can also be extremely distracting. If your phone is going off with unnecessary news or social media updates, it can be difficult to focus on what is actually important. An easy fix is to go into your settings and turn off as many notifications as you can live without. 

Convert to dark mode

One reason our devices are so attractive to use is because they are vibrant. While this has its benefits, it can also case additional strain to our eyes. Many smartphones now allow you to change your display to greyscale or dark mode in settings. Give it a go and see if it benefits you. 

Put your phone away during meals

Even if you just have your phone on a table during a meal, it can be distracting and reduce the quality of our interactions with others. It’s difficult to ignore the phone when it lights up with every notification, so the best thing you can do is put your phone out of sight, so you can be fully present. 

Designate tech-free hours

Taking set breaks from technology can do wonders for your well-being. Start by designating a specific time each day when you will go without your devices, such as when you are eating lunch, and see how it makes you feel after a week. 

Make your bedroom a No Tech Zone

Many of us use our phones as an alarm clock. While this might seem like a sensible idea, when we set or turn off the alarm, it’s easy to spot notifications and start scrolling. Give a traditional alarm clock a go instead. Screens also use blue light, which makes it harder to drift off to sleep because the it tricks our brains into thinking it’s daytime.