By: Lauren Hughes
Technology plays a significant role in our everyday lives. Consider how frequently you pick up your phone to check a text message, Snapchat, or Instagram notification. Constantly checking our phones has become a habit; our attention spans are becoming increasingly shorter because of this. Loud phone notifications can be disruptive during class, study time, and time spent hanging with friends. It can even negatively impact your sleep routine. According to eMarketer, “The average US adult spends just over 3.5 hours per day on their phone” (Zalani, 2021). Using our phones is convenient, enjoyable, and allows us to connect with others. However, we could all benefit from taking a break from technology every once in a while.
I was inspired to limit the amount of time I spend on my phone after listening to the TedTalk: “A Simple Strategy to Reclaim Your Time”. This talk was given by Ashley Whillans, a Harvard Business School Professor who describes herself as a “Happiness Researcher”. Whillans discusses the concept of “time poverty”, which is when people feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks on their to-do list (0:32). One of the main reasons American’s experience time poverty is due to excessive cell phone usage. As Whillans explains, “Our iPhones, tablets, and laptops create “time confetti”, fragmenting our leisure into small distracted minutes of time that are easily squandered and lost” (1:25). She goes on to list simple steps that can be taken to reclaim our time. Following these steps will likely result in an increase in overall happiness and satisfaction in life.
In order to become “time rich” Whillans suggests that individuals spend at least 30 minutes a day engaged in activities that promote happiness (7:40). Some examples of activities I engage in include:
Going for a walk: A short walk in nature, around the neighborhood, or even across campus allows time for self-reflection. I often choose not to bring my phone with me on walks, to eliminate the urge to check my notifications.
Reading a book: I find that time spent reading feels more productive and beneficial than aimlessly scrolling through my social media feed.
Spending quality time with friends: When meeting friends for dinner, I make a conscious effort to put my phone down. This allows me to be present in the moment, and truly engage with friends in conversation.
As classes wind down and you get ready to go on winter break, consider trying one of these activities in lieu of spending time on your phone.
As college students with busy schedules, we often get caught up in the day-to-day activities and wonder where all our time went. Although smartphones are a great resource, sometimes they work to our detriment, causing us to be constantly distracted. Becoming aware of how frequently we use our devices is the first step to changing our habits. Using simple strategies such as putting your phone on silent mode while studying, setting time limits on social media, or engaging in one of the above activities will allow you to reclaim your time, and increase overall productivity and happiness.
Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/C36WaLcHpEY