MINDFUL TECH USE
QBe creative
One way to ensure you’re not
wasting time on a device is
to make something. If you’ve
always had a novel in your
head, or ambitions to be an
artist, the digital realm now
offers more help than ever.
Instead of defaulting to social
networks, spend downtime
writing a novella, learning
to paint or working on that
nu-ragtime chart-topper.QGet educated
Although it’s true we never
stop learning, most people
rarely do so in a structured
manner post-school/college.
But your phone can be a great
way to get useful stuff into
your head. Try Duolingo to
learn a new language, or Khan
Academy for lessons in just
about anything.THE BASICS
COUNT THE MINUTES
QUse time-trackers
Android has Digital Wellbeing,
iOS has Screen Time. Use
them to monitor your app
and game usage on mobile.
The stats will show how often
you’re picking devices up,
and whether you have an
Instagram problem.QBe wary on desktop
If you track app usage on
desktop, ensure the system
you work with is intelligent
enough to understand apps
you’re actively using, rather
than totting up whatever’s
lurking in the background.
(Screen Time on macOS is
oddly poor at this.)Worried you’re frittering your life away, staring at ephemeral
nothingness on a glowing screen? Craig Grannell finds ways
to be more ‘conscious’ on phones, tablets and computers...QLearn to relax
Taking time out is vital, but it’s
useful to approach relaxation
mindfully, rather than spending
all your spare time on things
that may end up making
you more stressed (such as
endless news feeds). Instead,
fill this time with chill-out
activities like meditation,
ambient audio noodling in
Bloom: 10 Worlds, or a spot
of virtual colouring.QTame your indulgences
So you enjoy catching up with
your social feeds and playing
games. There’s nothing wrong
with that. But don’t squeeze
such things into odd moments
that rapidly expand – instead,
schedule time for them, and
avoid them elsewhere during
the day. You’ll claw back hours
and appreciate those planned
spells all the more.QPut it out of reach
There are times when tech
is inappropriate – or even
harmful to wellbeing. If you
can’t trust yourself, put your
devices out of reach. Get an
old-school alarm clock for
the bedroom and leave your
phone to charge overnight
elsewhere. When watching
TV, put your phone in another
room so you can concentrate
on the right screen. And when
you’re out socially, keep the
effing thing in your pocket.BETA YOURSELF
Yo filter
Most email is junk you
mindlessly wade through
prodding ‘delete’. Focus on
messages that matter by
using your email client’s
filtering and VIP
functionality.