5 Actually Realistic Ways To Stop Staring At A Screen Every Waking Moment

So. Much. Blue. Light.

1. Wake up to an actual alarm clock — not your phone.

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Y'all, research from Deloitte revealed that 43% of people check their phone within the first five minutes of waking up and 17% check it right away. YIKES. Stop the madness and use an alarm clock to wake up instead. That way, the first thing you do in the morning doesn't involve picking up your phone — and then immediately scrolling through Twitter. Make it a cute clock, like this one. ⏰

2. Once you have an alarm clock, you won't need to keep your phone on your nightstand, so you can replace it with a book (or another ~approved activity~).

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Knitting! Reading! Crossword puzzles! Not your laptop! Whatever the activity, keep something on your bedside table that helps you unwind. Comparing yourself to people on Instagram and reading about politics? NOT HELPING. De-stress with something that gets you out of your head and relaxes you into sleep mode. Why not try this Paris-themed coloring book? 😴

3. If your job requires you to stare at a computer all day (The Sitting Dead, if you will), set a reminder on your calendar to go stretch your legs.

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For many of us, we can't help the fact that we have to take in blue light all day just to get our work done. So, it's important to carve out a little time for yourself to take in some natural light, too. But don't just say you're going to walk or eat lunch outside — put a reminder on your calendar so that you get an extra nudge to actually do the damn thing. 💪

4. Turn 👏 off 👏 push 👏 notifications 👏 .

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If your phone doesn't constantly light up and make sounds from various apps, you'll be less inclined to check it. I seriously feel my stress decrease — and sometimes forget about my phone entirely — when I'm not distracted by notifications I've been conditioned to respond to instantly. To choose which app you want to shut the hell up, go to Settings > Notifications on your iPhone. Here's how to disable notifications on an Android. ✌️

5. When you're out with friends, put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" mode and stuff it in your pocket.

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This seems like something a baby boomer would scream at you, but for real: Put your phone away when you're with people (even better: put it away on "Do Not Disturb" mode so it doesn't bother you with vibrations or noises). We're living in mad times (mad!) that compromise our mental health, so taking a break from technology and appreciating our loved ones really matters. And don't just sneak off to the bathroom to scroll on the toilet. That's nasty. 😒

Bravo