5 steps to get your screen time down

If you have a screen time function on your phone, you will know the feeling of checking it and realising that you have spent... 4 HOURS ON TIKTOK???? Wow, you didn't realise that just watching one more TikTok made you end up scrolling for hours and hours.

This can also make you feel guilty because you know that you could have spent those hours working on that assignment that's due very soon or writing all those reports and emails you were supposed to do. You try to delete Tiktok, but you're back on the app as soon as your friend sends you one. It becomes a cycle, but a cycle that you can break. Here are some things you can do to get your screen time down.

1 - Set reminders to take breaks

Use your calendar, timer or reminders app to remind you to take a break from your screen time. You can start with baby steps, like every 30 minutes, get up and stretch.

Maybe drink a glass of water. Little productive things that make you feel good.

2 - Don't eat in front of a screen

Make your mealtime the time you get off your phone/tablet/computer just to sit and enjoy the food. It can be the big breaks between screen times, and you won't regret it.

3 - Set a downtime

So many people report staying up late because they want to watch one more TikTok or just one more episode. You probably have experienced this yourself. To break this habit, set a reminder to or downtime on your device about half an hour before you need to sleep to spend that time just winding down without a bright screen, which is proven to take longer to fall asleep.

4 - Take up a new sport

Getting out and being active is a great way to get off your phone. Especially if it's a team sport where you actively face to face with your friends. The added benefit is that it is a real-life sociable and keeps you healthy.

5 - Get someone to keep you accountable

Whether it's a parent or a friend, tell them your goal of reducing screen time and what your rules are. Then get them to ask you weekly how you are going. Don't beat yourself up if you've had a lousy week but resolve that next week is a fresh opportunity to stay on track to break bad habits. Remember, it takes two full weeks to start new habits!

These are some simple things you can do those simple things do to get that screen time down. Still stuck or have some questions? Check out my little chat box in the bottom left corner, or comment below.