Sore Eyes? Here Are 7 Ways to Reduce Screen Time on Your Computer
Are you feeling the effects of eye strain? Are you looking to reduce screen time? Not sure how to make it happen?
Then you’re in the right place!
Below, we’re going to show you exactly how to reduce screen time, providing you with a bevvy of useful tips. Ready? Let’s get into it!
1. Formally Establish a Limit
First and foremost, you need to formally establish a limit on your screen time. This means sitting down, reasoning out your schedule, and determining how much screen time is appropriate in a given day. To establish this limit, you might even consider writing it down on a dry erase board or piece of paper.
Then, once your limit has been established, you’ll need to put the effort in to enforce it. In order to do this, you’ll need to literally add up your screen time throughout the day and make sure that it doesn’t surpass your limit.
A good amount of screen time for an adult is about 2 hours a day. You could conceivably stretch this to 3 hours but should never go over that.
Also Read: 6 Simple Tips for Safe Self Storage
2. Set a Schedule
In addition to establishing screen time limits, you might also consider devising a daily schedule. This way, you can carve out blocks of time during which you’ll engage in computer use and won’t risk going above your limit.
For instance, you could do 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes during your lunch break, and an hour before you go to sleep at night. Make sure that the schedule includes your other activities as well, as they will provide context to your screen sessions, and help you ensure that they’re at the appropriate times.
To facilitate this, you can use an agenda book, a phone app, an Excel spreadsheet, or otherwise. In any case, it’s a good idea to have it down in writing.
3. Optimize Your Computer Speed
Another way to reduce your screen time is to optimize the speed of your computer. After all, the faster your computer is, the more you’ll be able to get done in a shorter amount of time. The more you’re able to get done, the less you’ll long for your computer throughout the day.
Now, how do you go about speeding up your computer? There are a variety of things you can do. You could uninstall unused software, supply your computer with more RAM, clear your web browser, and more.
One of the top reasons that computers run slow is that they become infected with Malware and other types of viruses. As such, by installing an anti-virus program, you could lend your computer substantial additional speed.
Regardless, if you speed up your computer, you’ll be able to increase your productivity. This will lead to reduced screen time overall.
4. Organize Your Computer Files
Optimizing computer speed isn’t the only way to increase productivity. Another way to do so is to keep your computer files organized. The more organized your files, the easier they’ll be to find, and the more quickly you’ll be able to finish necessary tasks.
There are several components to organizing computer files. One component is to get rid of files that you don’t need; another component is to nest related files inside of domain files; the most important component is to keep your most commonly used files available on your home screen so that they can be easily accessed.
Do these things and your computer will act as a well-oiled machine. You’ll be getting things done in no time.
5. Don’t Mix Activities
Do you tend to use your computer while also participating in other activities? For instance, maybe you use your computer to occupy yourself while you’re in the bathroom? If so, you should consider nixing the practice.
This is a surefire way to add unnecessary screen time. And to make matters worse, it’s usually unproductive screen time.
You can spend 5 minutes away from your computer to go to the restroom. You don’t need it to keep your mind stimulated. There’s a whole world going on around you.
6. Time Yourself
Another way to keep screen time to a minimum is to literally time yourself while you’re on the computer. Set an alarm clock for, say, 30 minutes, and then work until you hear the beeper go off. Keep the clock visible, however, so that you know just how much time you have left.
Doing this incentivizes you to work as efficiently as possible. You won’t waste time combing through Reddit when you’re up against the clock.
Plus, the timer ensures that you are, indeed, staying under your established limit. If you don’t set a timer, you’re bound to give yourself additional time. It’s not a lack of discipline; it’s just human nature.
7. Take Up a Hobby
If you’re like many, you use the computer to occupy yourself during downtime. If so, there might be another way. You might instead consider taking up a hobby instead.
There are tons of hobbies you could get involved in. You could start golfing; you could become a reader, you could get into carpentry, you could do yoga. The options are endless.
There’s no shame in using your computer for important or fulfilling tasks. However, if you’re just using it to keep yourself occupied throughout the day, it’s probably doing you more harm than good. Start trying different things and see what appeals to you; you could be avoiding your life’s greatest passion.
Reduce Screen Time With These Helpful Tips
If you’re looking to take the strain off your sore eyes, you would be wise to reduce screen time. By utilizing the tips above, you stand a great chance of doing so.
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