FlowernBalloon | 4 Tips to Unplugging Yourself

How long can you go without touching your phone?

To be exact, how long can you go without checking your social media, scrolling through Instagram or Tiktok, or browsing shopping platforms?

The average person spends about 10 hours a day staring at a screen, and in a post-pandemic world, that time has only increased. That’s a lot of time spent staring at a tiny screen when we could be looking at bigger, better things like books, scenery, friends and family, etc. 

We tend to forget that it’s super easy to get caught up in social media, in distressing news updates, or drama and gossip online, and we then lose focus on the world that does exist around us. It affects our face-to-face interactions and drains our mental energy, preventing us from completing worthwhile work.

It’s undoubtedly a good idea to disconnect from technology, especially after working hours. We are able to rest, recharge our batteries and clear our minds. Just like how overworking is bad for you, the same goes for excessive screen time! Research has shown that screen time is linked to several mental health disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and more – and this is not including the things you see online.

Besides videos on Tiktok, food photos on Instagram and Facebook rants, we promise – life exists outside. Go touch some grass and take a brief respite from technology.

Let’s talk about 4 ways you can unplug yourself and practice less screen time.

The 10% Method

Let’s be real – it’s impossible to turn everything off immediately and not feel like you’re about to lose your sanity.

Similar to smoking or medication, screen time is an addiction – you’ll suffer from withdrawal. Choose a more subdued approach to disconnect, such as reducing your technology consumption by 10%.

If you’re on your computer for 4 hours after work, shave off half an hour and head to bed earlier. Maybe you tend to lie in bed scrolling Tiktok for 2 hours, so try to spend the last 15 minutes closing your eyes or doing a face mask. If you’re used to checking your social media on the train to work, take a break and observe the people and surroundings instead. 

When you’re used to doing this, you can then try reducing an additional 5-10% of your time in the following week. That way, you’re reducing your screen time successfully while still enjoying it!

Tech-Free Zones

Establish tech-free areas in your home, devoid of technological distractions. We’re talking about iPads, televisions, handphones or even smart watches. Leave them out of the kitchen or the dining room, or even a small 5ft*5ft corner of your room.

Unplugging yourself will become a simple and effective task when there are designated, tech-free zones in the house. Occupy yourself with tasks like cooking, cleaning, reading or painting instead in these areas. Of course, this takes accountability and discipline to carry out; there may be exceptions such as work or emergency situations.

By removing technology from areas around the house, you will eventually notice a significant reduction in your screen time. This results in an improvement in your mental health and mood. Play some music and light up a candle – may we suggest checking out our scented candle selection?

Turn Off Notifications

Phones are fancy now, and you can customise your notification settings. You can’t exactly ignore work notifications, but at the same time you’re distracted by comments, shares, shopping alerts or Youtube subscription pings. These distractions sap your energy and focus, and overall affect your productivity.

While you can ensure important notifications stay on, you can definitely turn off likes, comments, tags and other similar pings. That way, you can stay alerted about emails and pings from your employer or colleagues while filtering out all the noise.

Customise your notifications carefully – while it might take a while, we promise the payoff is super worth it!

Track Your Online Time

Screen time is severely underestimated when you realise how many social media platforms eat up your time. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tiktok and other social media platforms take up hours of our day, and some of us tend to put off work for the sake of that extra scroll time. When it all adds up, you might be surprised at how much time you actually spend on your devices.

While there are screen time tracking apps and software available, most devices now have in-built statistics and options for you to access your screen time. Even applications like Instagram and Tiktok will tell you how much time you spend scrolling daily on an average basis. Once you’ve gotten an idea of exactly how much time you spend wasting away on your screens, you can start planning and scheduling proper social media breaks or no-phone zones.

Unplugging with FlowernBalloon SG

From cell phones to laptops, to televisions or tablets, the average person is exposed to screens at an alarming rate. Let go of all the noise and clear your mind from distractions by learning how to unplug yourself. Take a step back and relax, or treat yourself and order a hamper from Singapore’s online platforms like ours. 

From flowers to scented candles in Singapore, we have them all. If you’re looking to unwind and treat yourself, visit us at FlowerNBalloon today! Learn more about what we do, and how we create some of the best gift hampers in Singapore.