GLOW UP WEEKLY 05: HOW TO SPEND LESS TIME ON SCREENS

I know it’s been forever (I think like 2 months!!) since I shared a glow up weekly post but they are back and hopefully I will be able to be more consistent with them (:

If you’re new, check out the introduction to this series here and see all the posts in the series here!

This week we’re going to be talking about the negative affects of screens on our health and some practical ways you can spend less time on devices! This is something that most people don’t really think about but it’s definitely a part of your glow up. I’m so excited for this post!!

negative affects of screens on our health

Before I start talking about this, I just want to say that I’m not saying “screens/phones are bad” because that’s not true! But I think a lot of us (me included) spend a little too much time on them! This can have a negative affect on our health – the problem is not the devices it’s just the amount of time we spend on them (: hope that cleared any questions up!!

here are a few of the negative affects of spending too much time on screens:

• poor sleep (especially if you go on screens late at night!)
• headaches/strained eyes
• having a sedentary lifestyle (basically being a couch potato/not moving your body!)
• shorter attention span
• easy to get distracted when studying/working

those are just a few of the negative affects of spending too much time on screens! don’t worry though, you don’t need to throw away all your devices. I’m going to share a few practical ways you can spend less time on them!

practical ways to spend less time on devices

1. turn it off at a specific time at night – it’s best to turn off all devices an hour before you go to bed, but that might not be doable for you! plug in your phone/shut down your laptop at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. this will also help you have time to do your night routine (like skincare/showering) and have a few minutes to read or spend time with your family before bed.
2. charge your phone across your room/in a different room than your bedroom – if your phone is charging on your nightstand it’s so easy to pick it up and check social media first thing in the morning or late at night.
3. use the screen time feature – this is available in settings for apple phones, but there are also apps where you can track and limit your screen time if you have an android or another type of phone. This is very helpful to find out how much time you spend on your phone each day, what times you are on it most, and what apps you use most often. You can also set limits for certain apps (like 30 minutes on Instagram for example) if you often find yourself on them too much!
4. turn off notifications – obviously, keep your notifications for important things like phone calls/messages but turning off your notifications for social media and other apps is a gamechanger! I can’t count how many times I’ve been working hard on a blog post or an assignment when a notification pops up on my phone that distracts me.
5. don’t use your phone for the first hour of you day – I know this sounds crazy but it’s so helpful guys! I try not to turn on/check my phone for at least an hour and start my day with something other than my phone.
6. don’t bring your phone everywhere – I know this also sounds super crazy! Obviously if you’re by yourself you should bring your phone, but for example, when I go somewhere with my family and I know my parents have their phones with them in case of an emergency, I will often leave my phone at home! Without the option to check it I feel so free and honestly don’t even feel like I’m missing out.
7. purchase some blue light glasses – if you have to spend a lot of time on devices for work or school (virtual school anyone?) then this is a product you have to invest in for sure (and the investment is like 10 bucks soo). they reduce the strain on your eyes so if you often find yourself with a headache/eye strain then this is for you!

these are so cute and inexpensive!

do you have any more tips for spending less time on devices? let’s talk in the comments!

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