Have you ever scrolled through a social media site or turned on the TV, and completely lost track of time? You are not alone. Millions of people struggle managing their screen time in a way that creates a beneficial environment. Social media is specifically designed to suck users into engaging with their product the more and more the user consumes. With that being said, what is the best way to stave off the mindless hours of useless entertainment? It is fairly simple but not easy. Most Apple products nowadays have been given a screen time feature in which users can tell applications how much time the individual allows themselves to consume entertainment. This useful little feature can be helpful however, you may need to go further to help yourself with time spent consuming entertainment. Oftentimes, entertainment is consumed by people who are either bored or “winding down” from their day. Any number of things can be done either during boredom or finishing up a long day’s work. Many people also reach for their phones as soon as they wake up, accounting for lost time in the morning. With technology being integrated into our daily lives it can be hard finding an alternative that you can enjoy just the same. Easy alternatives to mindless technology can be going for walks, contacting people you haven’t seen in a while, reading a book, doodling, etc. As easy as it sounds, it is actually very difficult for people to un-plug and engage in different activities. It is so much easier to plop down on the couch and scroll immediately or even hit the power button on the TV remote. However, too much screen time can be detrimental to an individual’s health. Bad posture, lower back pain, and degenerative eyesight are all examples of problems that come with over-indulging in technological entertainment. It is important to regulate the time you spend looking at screens because, like anything, it will have resounding, lasting effects if not properly used.
