mitrobeIf you are searching for tips to overcome cell phone addiction, you have already taken the first step of overcoming your addiction.
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master” – Christian Lous Lange.
You recognize you have a phone addiction problem that you need to get over and strike a healthier balance in your life.
PS: If you feel very lonely and most vulnerable when you have a flat battery, you are most likely addicted to your phone already.
Excess of cell phones usage can interfere with your study, work, hobbies, relationships and health.
The truth is that I was once addicted to my cell phone like no other. Now, I have very well over it.
In this guide, I am going to show you 9 ways to overcome cell phone addiction.
You know the best part?
These tips are very practical and work like charm!
Let’s get started right away.
9 Tips To Overcome Addiction To Cell Phone In 2021
1. Say No To The Early Morning And Late Night Desire
If checking your phone is the first thing you do when you wake and the last thing you do before going to bed, you are most likely addicted to your smartphone already.
Like I said earlier, I was once addicted to my smartphone. Now, I have full control over it.
How did I do it?
I picked up the challenge and told myself;
“I’m going to find some other things to do immediately I wake up and before going to bed.” “I don’t want to be controlled by my smartphone again”
Yes, it was not easy.
Every day I woke up back then, I would look one or two things to do.
It can be tasks that are as minor as brushing my teeth, sweeping the floor, work out e.t.c.
I doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure that your phone is not the first thing you check when you wake up.
The joy I get after completing these tasks before picking up my phone gave me the strong belief that I can do this.
I was able to do it for 21 straight days (3 weeks) and I was surprisingly in FULL CONTROL already!
For most people, you need about 21 days to form a habit, though it takes longer in few other people.
So, why not try the 21 days challenge and see what happens next?
2. Set A Schedule
Make a schedule and use your phone only at certain times of a day, and adhere to your schedule.
Limit your cell phone checks.
For instance, many people compulsively check their phone every few minutes.
It is essential to stay away from checking your phone every five minutes.
3. Keep Your Phone At Arm’s Length
Why don’t you just drop your phone in your room when you are going to the sitting room?
It’s going to be in your room when you are back – Newton said so!
Yes, stop taking your phone all around you like it’s your heart.
Why?
Because it’s not your heart! There is no answer more so sophisticated than that.
Be present at the moment, feel everything around you and enjoy the time out with your friends and family without constantly checking your phone.
As soon as you learn how to do without your phone in short periods, you will be able to gradually extend it with time.
4. Keep Trying – Don’t Check
Be strict and do not check your phone while eating, reading, and talking to friends or family.
Many phone addicts even take their phone to the bathroom/toilet.
You are probably reading this in the toilet. Isn’t it?
5. Turn Off Notifications
Turn all the notification off except few important ones.
Turn your push notifications off from all social media apps.
Many of us just can’t neglect the sound of notifications on our phone.
If you feel very curious to check your phone every time your notification sounds, you need to stop it.
You can start with turning off social media notifications like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter e.t.c
Instead, pick a time of your day you want to check and reply all your social media chats and stick to it.
That way, you are getting to be in charge.
6. Spend More Time On Other Activities You Love
Make yourself busy to get rid of the urge to check the phone constantly.
Read a book, go to the gym, play a musical instrument or get into activities you are passionate about.
You can also spend more time with your friends.
7. Go Stricter – Lock Out Yourself
There are many productivity apps that can lock you out and prevent you from using your smartphone any time.
You will be the one in charge of setting these apps, but they will take control according to the instructions you give them.
This method is very effective and you should use try it if you are desperately in need to overcome it.
Some of the Android apps you can check out include:
- Forest
- Offtime
- Breakfree
- Stay on Task
- AppDetox
If you are using an iOS device, you can try out:
- Flipd
- Offtime
- Moment
- Breakfree
You can get more by searching for “Lock me out apps for Android/iOS phones“
Make sure you read about these apps and how they work before choosing which one you want to use.
8. Uninstall Some Social Media Apps And Do This
This is one of the decisions I made and it changed me.
I was able to spend less time on Facebook and Twitter by uninstalling the apps on my phone, and I become more productive.
Instead, I now use the web browsers on my phone to visit Facebook and Twitter when I need to.
Why Is This So?
Most of the times, you will find out that you keep opening Facebook or Twitter without really having a reason to.
Then, you close it back, or just get stuck in the game again (scrolling, scrolling … tired).
After I removed the APPS and started using the web versions, I discovered that I started spending less time and opened them only when I needed to.
PS: Doing this alone will not help you overcome the addition. I have friends that use the web version and still use it ALL THE TIME!
You have to combine it with all other tips.
9. Avoid Using Your Phone As Alarm
When you use your phone as an alarm clock, the first thing you do after waking up is to check your phone.
Instead, why don’t you buy an alarm clock to wake you up every money?
That way, you can avoid the early morning urge.
Conclusion
Cell phone addiction can affect your productivity, make you lose focus and waste good amount of your time.
Limiting your cell phone use would not only improve the quality of your life, but it will also improve your physical and mental health.
You should be the one controlling your smartphone and not vice versa. Therefore, take control and use it wisely.
What do you think? Which one or more of these strategies have you used or going to use? Let me know using the comment section below.
Now, don’t forget to share using the buttons below.
James steller
mitrobe
Mitrobe Staff