Intro
This week, our cycle is very focused on spring break since it’s coming up very soon. And we have to make it the best and not waste any time. But sometimes it’s hard because we’re on our phones a lot, so let’s stop that. Especially with upcoming laws and schools becoming stricter about phones, I think we can learn from this and build better habits. So today I’m going to talk about how to stop wasting our time on our phones, get active, and build better habits.
What causes it?
A lot of the time, we’re on our phones because we’re bored or don’t want to do certain things. Especially if you’re not going anywhere this upcoming break, or sometimes it’s not only that you’re bored, but endless media and quick dopamine have lots of effects on our brains and emotions. Social media is very dopamine-driven, giving us that feeling of “good’ or “fun,” making us want it more. So sometimes it’s not always our fault, but if you make it a routine to always get on your phone, it’s an issue you’re creating and feeding into it. But the convenience of phones also makes it hard to go a day without one. Texting friends/family, reviewing emails, looking at grades, or just the fear of missing out on trends (FOMO) are all examples of why we need our phones. As well as just being too busy to do things for yourself, which can just cause you to go on your phone.
How to stop it
Sadly, to stop being on your phone all the time, you will need to acknowledge the problem and figure out what is causing it. That might be a notification from apps or even just having problems with mental health, like depression or anxiety. Overall, there can be many factors that are the main causes of this. Second, cutting out certain apps like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube can be an amazing start, while maybe that can be deleting them all or just setting a time limit on each app. Building tolerance of not being on your phone and doing something better, like reading or learning a new hobby. As well as trying to do certain things like eating lunch without watching a YouTube video or going to the restroom without it. These are all just way too shorten your usage.
What to do instead
Instead of being on your phone, there are many things you could do. Like learning a new hobby, working out, playing a sport, and hanging out with friends. But sometimes these things are hard if you don’t have the supplies, or none of your friends are in town. So it’s better if we build from this instead of being on your phone. Like doing that assignment you missed, reading the book you always wanted to, instead of being on your phone before sleep, taking a walk on a sunny day, listening to music while you deep clean your room, and learning how to crochet and sew are all just things you could be doing instead of being on your phone the whole day. While yes It might take some time to stop, but in the end, it’s better for your brain. There are many pros and cons to many technologies and social media, but rather than wasting your whole day on it, learning something new and challenging your brain can all become a wonderful and beneficial habit for you.
