During the current pandemic, most people have a lot of free time, but they don’t utilize it as best as they should. Dave Antrobus notes that it’s easy for people to spend hours on their laptops, social media pages and television and find out that they have been less productive. However, The Fresh Thinking Group co-founder admits that there are different ways that people can make the most of their free time to cut down on screen time.
Control Your Time On The Screen
Dane Antrobus says that people can limit their screen time by setting aside a specific time behind digital devices. The Fresh Thinking Group executive reiterates that such a limitation should be time-bound and attainable. For instance, people should promise to watch Netflix for one hour on weekdays instead of doing it less often.
Online Support Groups Can Help
Committing to an online support group could seem paradoxical for those trying to limit their digital use, but it can be beneficial. Dave Antrobus believes that such groups can help individuals be accountable for their time on their screens because it’s easier for people to share their experiences on digital overuse. The Fresh Thinking Group executive states that support groups are practical during lockdowns because most friends and families are on WhatsApp and Facebook.
Take Note Of Triggers
Dave Antrobus states that learning more about the addictive use of the screen can help cut back on the hours spent behind the screen. The Fresh Thinking Group executive points out that people should consider downloading mobile apps that tells them the time they spend on each app. Such apps also let you set limitations on the apps you can’t stop visiting.
Dave states that when people learn what triggers them to keep revisiting the commonly used platforms, they’re likely to find the root cause of their issue. One way to do this is by learning the emotional reactions towards digital activities.
Mapping Alternative Behaviors
After establishing screen addictive triggers, Dave Antrobus acknowledges that it’s possible to map alternative behaviors. For instance, anyone whose digital overuse results in boredom could consider taking up a new hobby or exercise routine.