The majority of us know we spend far too much time on our phones.
But when everything is available to you with a simple touch or scroll, it’s hard not to, right?
It’s just so easy and convenient.
A 2022 study found that Australians were spending on average just over five and a half hours a day on their phones.
Ouch.
Another, more recent worldwide study shows the average screen time in Australia (including all devices) is around six hours a day – and about half of that is on a mobile phone.
I had a bit of a wake-up call this week when I read that my phone actually tracks how much time I spend on it.
Okay, I’m probably a bit slow to this as it seems the technology has been around for a while!
But going to Settings and then scrolling down to ‘Digital Wellbeing and parental controls’ on an Android phone or ‘Settings/Screen Time’ on an iPhone, can reveal all…
It will then further break down your usage into App activity details.
Showing which Apps you are using the most and how long you have spent on them.
How many times you have unlocked your phone.
The number of notifications you’ve received (which prompt you to look at your phone).
Is there anything this thing doesn’t know about me?
I have to admit it was a bit of a shock.
So what to do about it all?
Well it’s easy to say ‘put your phone down’, but that’s not always that practical.
At work try to set yourself limits, only check it (for anything non-work related) once an hour, for example.
Or when you leave your desk for a drink.
Regularly take complete screen breaks.
Step outside and look around.
Or at least go to a window if you can, and look at the sky.
At mealtimes – eat away from your screen, turn you phone upside down and eat mindfully.
At night time, don’t plug your phone in next to your bed.
Maybe take a full day off from your phone/social media on a weekend.
If you really have to check social media, set yourself five minutes an hour – so it doesn’t feel like a complete withdrawal.
Or on those Apps you spend the most times – see if you can reduce it a little bit.
Saying all this, I completely get the irony that I am writing and researching this on a screen… and, if you are reading this, you are also on a screen!
My one tiny little reprieve is that the article that triggered this blog – was in a magazine.
Yes, an actual printed magazine.
I must admit I’m glad I don’t read books online either.
I love the feel and smell of a brand new book.
When I used to get public transport to work I woud regularly count how many people were on their phones and how many reading physical books, magazines etc.
I was usually the odd one out.
Doing neither.
I like to look where I’m going on the bus or train.
It probably stems back to many years ago when I was doing a Sudoku on a train and looked up and saw the letter B.
I assumed it was my stop and got off, only to find myself somewhere completely unfamiliar.
I hoped my husband could navigate me in the right direction, but I was so far off-track, I ended up having to get a taxi!
That’s how distracted we often are these days.
Not noticing.
Not looking up and seeing what’s around us.
Even if it’s on a regular journey.
Now I’m going to walk away from my screen, leave my phone where it is and go and breathe in some of the lovely spring air outside.
Ann 🙏