Smart Phone tips

Smart phones have become a part of our everyday lives. Here are some tips, from Mindful Magazine, for keeping our smart phones as part of our lives and not the rulers of our lives.

 

Our phones keep us connected — but if we stay plugged into apps and social media, and snap selfies of everything we’re doing, our phones can become a powerful tool for avoidance and distraction. Explore these simple ways to make the time you spend on your phone more mindful.

1) Re-organize your home screen
Beeps and buzzes from the various apps on your phone can interrupt unnecessarily — do you really need an alert when a new podcast you subscribe becomes available? Often, people respond to notifications or click on their favorite app on autopilot. Here are five simple ways to cultivate a less distracting relationship to your phone.

2) Cut down on mindless scrolling
Social media has a way of overloading your emotions by constantly feeding you photos and stories that align with your interests in order to keep your eyeballs on the screen. Friends’ posts can inspire joy, sorrow, envy, or all three—often in a matter of minutes. Noticing these emotions as you experience them can help you recognize your expectations and intentions when sharing on social media. Explore this social media practice before, during, and after you’ve logged in.

3) Focus on friendships, not followers
Your phone helps you keep in touch with those who are far away, but it can distract you from the friends you see daily, and even pleasant chats with a barista or cashier. Small changes, like putting your phone down when you’re with other people, can help you strengthen old connections and foster new ones. Strike a balance between online and in-person relationships with these six tips.