Is your new year’s resolution to get rid of those digital distractions?
We are bombarded by all things digital these days. Phones beep, ping, and ring. Emails stream in and Facebook always beckons. And let’s not get started on Netflix!
It’s a no-brainer to conclude that with all of these digital distractions, it can be difficult to be productive. You may struggle to get things done at work, or perhaps you want to focus more on the weekend.
Whatever the case, eliminating digital distractions can lead to a healthier lifestyle and higher productivity levels.
Luckily, there are solutions. Read on to learn about how certain strategies and applications like FocusMe can help you stay on top of your game in a digital world.
1. Take Breaks Often
This may sound like it’s easier said than done, but it’s crucial when it comes to getting rid of digital distractions.
You’ve probably heard that sleep cycles happen in increments of 90 minutes. This actually also applies to waking life!
Eliminate digital distractions by taking digital-free breaks every ninety minutes at least. Go for a walk, work out, weed your garden, get a coffee, etc. This is particularly important if you’ve been overloading the technology during those ninety minutes.
Make sure these digital detox breaks last for at least ten minutes. You’ll be surprised what this can do for your productivity.
2. Wean Yourself Off of Dependency
One of the best ways to eliminate digital distractions is to wean yourself off of them. This may sound intense, but it’s also important to recognize that distractions are a result of dependency.
If you feel the urge to check your phone every minute, start by enforcing fifteen minute check cycles.
After you send a message or check your phone, turn it off or on airplane mode for fifteen minutes. Then turn it back on, allow yourself a minute or two to browse, and then repeat the cycle.
Once you’ve freed yourself up a bit in this way, start shutting of technology for longer stints. Try thirty minutes or even an hour at a time.
3. Create Tech Boundaries
It’s critical to keep boundaries with technology. Boundaries can reduce distractions and make sure that you can fully engage in all other areas of your life.
Start by keeping your devices out of your bedroom. A lot of people go to bed reading a tablet. They also wake up and immediately check messages while still in their pajamas.
Build a habit of using your devices only at certain times and in certain places during the day. For example, use devices only when you’re in your office or the kitchen. Creating tech-free zones will eliminate distraction, boost productivity, and keep you happier. To enforce this habit, use FocusMe for Android.
4. Realize What’s Happening
Knowledge is power when it comes to managing digital distractions. Bringing awareness to your tech engagement can go miles in helping you keep a healthy balance between digital and analog.
For one thing, technology can boost your anxiety levels. Studies show that people who have fears of missing out on something important feed these fears with technology. They have to check their phones constantly to make sure they’re on top of things, and feel more anxious when they can’t do so.
Multitasking with technology can also harm your performance and productivity. Checking Instagram during a work meeting, for example, means that you’re not fully engaged in the conversation.
Realizing that you may be harming your work performance and engagement just by responding to digital demands is the first step in making a change.
It’s also important to realize what this tech is meant to do for us. In reality, technology makes our lives easier. We’re supposed to get things done faster and feel happier about things as a result.
It can be easy to forget this basic intention. But once you start flipping your perspective, you’ll use technology for its function–not as a means of elevating stress levels in the body.
5. Give Yourself Alternatives
Another solution that can help you get rid of digital distractions is finding healthy alternatives.
For example, instead of texting someone constantly, why not give them a call? If scrolling down your Facebook’s news feed isn’t helping you, why not work out for ten minutes instead?
Choose healthy alternatives designed to both calm you down and engage with your contacts in a more meaningful way. As a result, you may be surprised at how energized, attentive, and relaxed you are.
6. Use FocusMe When You’re Online
So what about when you are online? It’s impossible to avoid online platforms of all kinds, particularly if you work remotely.
Luckily, there is an answer. FocusMe is an application that can help you accomplish all of the above strategies–and more. It’s primary goal is to help you navigate your digital distractions so that they’re not distractions, and you feel healthier!
With FocusMe, you can block time-wasting applications and programs on your desktop for as long as you like so that you can get work done. You can even create settings that block all websites except the ones you need.
If you find yourself wanting to “cheat,” you’ll hit a roadblock–literally. FocusMe is the most powerful blocking software in the world. It’s serious about you getting things done.
You can even create focus plans with the Scheduler part of FocusMe, track how much time you spend on Instagram or Facebook, and set up break reminders.
FocusMe can help you stay on top of all of these tips and more.
FocusMe: Eliminating Digital Distractions
It can be hard to stay focused in a digital age. Luckily there are solutions to managing digital demands and creating a healthy work and life balance.
Create healthy habits of establishing tech boundaries, taking frequent breaks, and weaning yourself off of device dependency. Understand your own habits and reliance on technology in order to gain a valuable new perspective.
At the end of the day, FocusMe can help you stay on task when you do engage with the digital world.
eehm…. weekend exceptions would be great, this absence is basically the only thing preventing the software from achieving “perfect” status.
Hey Sergio! Weekend exceptions are already possible with FocusMe. When you use the ‘weekly’ schedule you can choose the days that apply, and have different plans for different days. Check out the weekly mode option in this guide or contact our support and we would be happy to help further!