Ways to reduce screen time

How do I reduce screen time in the digital age?

Singapore is such a digitally-acclimatised society that spending too much time on digital devices has become a very common problem amongst children and adults alike.

�I�m just getting work done�, you might say, but chances are that all the excess screen time you accumulate could translate into health and sleep problems in the near future. Excess screen time has been proven to be detrimental to both the young and old, so it�s important that we learn how to cut back on the amount of time we spend staring at screens.

Top 5 ways to reduce screen time (for yourself):

1. Go out and socialise more

We spend a huge portion of our time interacting with our friends on social media platforms. Go with the analogue option instead by initiating and planning outings with your family members and friends. Boredom and loneliness are usually what cause us to turn to social media, and quality face-to-face interactions can help you overcome this. To further reduce your screen usage, make it a point to avoid using your digital devices during social occasions and get the people around you to do the same too � everyone will benefit from the lack of digital distractions! Another way to reduce screen time otherwise spent on online social interactions is to opt for phone calls instead of text messaging � you get to say a lot more in a shorter period of time and bond better with the person you are interacting with.

2. Develop new or existing hobbies

Investing time in hobbies is a great substitute for your unproductive screen time. Simple activities like reading a book, cooking or taking a walk may help you beat boredom, but working on a serious hobby is the best way to reduce the amount of time you spend on a screen in the long run. Hobbies are great because they redirect your focus, thus forcing you to spend your time more productively and outside of a digital environment. Furthermore, hobbies are a great opportunity for self-improvement, especially when you pursue activities that you are passionate in or those that improve your physical or mental well-being.

3. Avoid bringing work home

We spend enough time on our devices at work already. Bringing work home to do will only exacerbate the negative effects of too much screen time, so don�t let work eat into your rest time. If need be, head in to office earlier the following to get a head-start. The homestead should be a place of relaxation and not drudgery.

4. Keep your devices away from your bedroom

Always try to keep your digital devices away from your bedroom � don�t even charge them in there! This removes the temptation to lie in bed and scroll through your social media feed for hours and also protects your brain from associating the bedroom with wakefulness. In other words, keeping digital devices out of your bedroom will help you sleep better and avoid insomnia.

5. Stay active to distract yourself

Instead of relaxing for long hours in front of the TV after work, engage in some exercise to unwind instead! Simple exercises like a light evening jog or a leisurely game of badminton not only helps you to keep fit, but also helps you de-stress after a long day of work and will boost your mood significantly. Find out more about the different exercises you can do at our Active Health Labs � we�ll definitely help you find something that suits your fitness level!

At the end of the day, it�s hard to avoid spending time on your digital devices when you live in a modern society like Singapore. This makes conscientious management of screen time all the more important and highlights the need for everyone to take active steps to take ownership of their digital activities. The health benefits of cutting back on your screen time far outweigh the inconvenience of putting our devices away, so start working on reducing your screen time now!

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