Is it time for a cell phone cleanse?

Yes. I was that girl, sprawled out on the sidewalk after tripping because I was immersed in my phone and oblivious to my surroundings. Luckily no serious injuries ensued, but my acrobatic fall was a sharp wakeup call.

Did I need to be on my phone so much or had I developed an unhealthy attachment?

Catherine Price has an interesting article called “How to Break Up With Your Phone” that discusses this phenomenon and offers ideas to move towards a healthier relationships with our phones.

My favorite take-aways:

Americans spend an average of 4 hours on their phones each day! (That’s approx 1/4 of our waking hours, BTW)

It’s not just about using your phone less

Nobody likes to be told they shouldn’t do something. Decide what kind of relationship you want with your phone and how it affects you.

Change your thinking

The impulse to constantly check our phones happens because we think we’re going to miss out on something. What if it is the other way around? If I’m checking my phone, I’m missing out on what’s happening right in front of me! (This made me think about my blog post about missing the amazing things happening around me.)

Notice your body when you’re on your phone

I noticed that I instantly slouch or crane my neck. If I’m really on my phone for multiple hours a day, what is this doing to my body? (P.S. Text neck is a real thing.)

Apps to help you