Do you love your electronic devices? I know I do. It has become easier to be sucked into spending hours looking at your screen. Basically doing nothing but giving yourself dopamine injections… So one of my resolutions for the new year is to try and break my addiction to my electronic devices once and for all. And as I use my computer daily it will be a hard one.
Electronic devices are very stimulating and potentially addicting. While some people routinely misplace their cellphones and couldn’t care less about finding it, many others won’t even go to the restroom or eat a meal without it. Others can’t watch TV or sit on the deck without their tablet or computer.
Are you unable to go a single evening without TV, a cell phone, or a computer? How would it make you feel? Do you believe you’d be missing out on something important? If so, you might have an addiction.
Break your addiction to your electronic devices:
1. Make a list of your electronic distractions. In order of preference, list the electronic devices you can’t live without. The most common include: cellphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, iPod or similar devices, computer games, TV, and the movie theater. Also make a list of the websites that you can’t seem to avoid, like Facebook, Twitter, and so on.
2. List the times you’d most like to stop. It’s especially sad when a parent is mesmerized by their cell phone while their child is participating in a sporting event or other function. Maybe you can’t even stop checking your phone while you’re eating dinner with your family.
- List all the times you use your electronic devices but know you shouldn’t. Those are the most important places to start.
3. Start slowly. Put away your phone during meals. Or spend at least an hour with your child without using any electronic devices. Turn off your phone and allow your child or significant other to hide it for an hour. You’ll be amazed at how much this excites them.
- Trying to change too much, too soon, will lead to frustration and failure. A small step forward each day is all it takes.
4. Be patient. Electronic devices are very stimulating and quitting won’t be easy, even for a short period of time. Don’t get discouraged if it’s a struggle.
- Experts state that it takes at least three full days without electronic devices for brain function to normalize. Until that time, the urge to go back to your old behavior will be strong.
5. Find a substitute. What can you do instead, preferably with a family member? What else could you enjoy doing instead of texting or conquering the latest release of Grand Theft Auto? Your substitute won’t be as engaging, but try to find something you enjoy doing.
6. Set a schedule. It’s not possible in modern society to be completely without a cell phone or computer 24/7. However, you can limit your use to certain times of the day. Maybe for 30 minutes in the middle of the day and 30 minutes after the kids go to bed.
7. Consider what you’re missing. What could you be doing instead of texting your coworker about the new guy with the bad toupee? You could read a book and actually learn something for a change. You could enjoy time with your family. Attend a concert. Work in the yard. Learn to play the guitar.
- How could you better spend the time?
It’s easy to miss out on life by spending too much time on your cellphone, reading Facebook updates from people you haven’t spoken to in 15 years. Electronic addiction steals from your life.
Start paying attention to the things that really matter to you. Begin today to limit the time you spend with these devices, and you’ll increase the moments you’re really enjoying your life.
And don’t hesitate to let me know how you are doing (either by commenting below or DM me on Instagram)