While it is impossible to completely escape the screen, there are ways to reduce the time you place your eyes and brain under the screen-strain.
We all know we spend too much time on screens. It is actually one thing I worry quite a lot about; using a screen is 90% of my job and also something I like to use in my free time.
For my vision, my mental health and to be more present with my little one, I have made a conscious decision to try to limit the amount of time I spend on it.
Excessive screen time can cause eye damage as well as affect our posture and mood. While it is impossible to completely escape the screen, there are ways to reduce the time you place your eyes and brain under the screen-strain.
1. Eat your meals without a screen:
It may be tempting to use your meal breaks as a time to catch up on social media. But by banning the screen during these breaks you’ll not only give your eyes a rest, but you will also enjoy your food more. Ban your children using screens during meals too, not only is it a bad habit to get them into it will encourage them to get chatting, to you and to each other about their day and everything else going on in their little worlds.
2. Limit your non-work screen time
Don’t check your work emails at home. In the industry I am in, it sometimes feels urgent to stay ahead of the game, but constantly checking your work emails and social media while at home increases your exposure to the screen and also raises your stress levels. If you, like me work from home limit the time when you are working and stick to it.
3. Keep bedrooms screen-free zones
Watching a series or a movie is undoubtedly a time where we can switch off and relax, but try and do this on your couch rather than in your bed. Watching from your couch makes it easier to stop watching that addictive TV show rather than pressing play on the next episode if you are already in bed.
4. Ban phone charging from the bedroom too
Don’t charge your phone next to your bed as it will tempt you to check for messages or your social media or even the time if you wake during the night. Scrolling through your phone just before bed has been shown to disrupt your sleep pattern too. If you use your phone as an alarm clock, get yourself an old-fashioned one and use that instead!
5. Take up another hobby for boredom
Often times we turn to our phones, checking our Facebook and Instagram feeds to stave off boredom. Next time you have some time to kill or just feel the urge to aimlessly scroll through social media try and pick up a book, do something on your to-do list at home or go for a walk. You will feel much better for it!
