Nowadays, all we hear about is how harmful smartphones can be for our health. Don't get me wrong, our tendency to favour online interactions over face-to-face time with friends is definitely not a step in the right direction, but there are ways that we can use these incredibly powerful tools to our advantage. Read on to find out how to make your phone work for you!
Step 1: Change Your Relationship With Your Phone
If you have an iPhone, it's possible that, like me, you were shocked to find out how much time you spend scrolling when Apple launched its 'Screen Time' function. I currently spend an average of 3 hours on my phone every day, and when I look at the numbers it's hard to see what I actually get out of that. If you also feel like you are wasting time pointlessly moving from app to app every day, it could be time to take a step back and set some boundaries.
If you haven't already, start monitoring your usage with the 'Screen Time' function in your iPhone settings. If you are on Android, apps such as Moment will do the same job. After a week or so you will get a picture of how much time you are spending on your phone and which apps are the main culprits for your smartphone addiction. You can then set limits on these apps if you decide that you'd like to spend less time on them. Right now I have a limit of 1 hour per day on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn combined, and it has helped me to enjoy using these apps again, as I'm less likely to be scrolling out of sheer boredom.
If you want to take that a step further, you can use the 'Downtime' function to limit access to all apps during a certain period of time. I use this from 10pm to encourage me to put down my phone and pick up a book before bed! Don't worry though - you can set certain apps to 'always allow', so you won't miss any messages from the group chat or phone calls from your Mum!
Another easy way to stop your phone being a major distraction is to turn off notifications. It can be really annoying seeing pop-ups on your phone when you are trying to concentrate on a lecture or write an essay, so by turning off all but the most important notifications you will save a lot of stress. On top of this, if you are needing a serious study session with no interruptions, put your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' and check it every so often. Don't worry about missing out on messages or notifications, people rarely expect an instant response and they will understand if you are prioritising your work.
Step 2: Download Useful Apps
Now that we aren't wasting so much time on our phones, we can start to use them as the amazing, super useful tools that they are! There are so many apps that you can use to make your life easier, it's all about trying them out and seeing what works for you.
Focus Keeper
This app is basically a timer, but it follows the famous 'Pomodoro Technique' for productivity. Essentially, this app splits your study session into 25 minutes of focus, followed by 5 minutes of break. After 4 cycles, you take a longer 30 minute break to recharge. It's so simple but amazing how much work you can get done following this system!
Strathclyde University App
If you're a Strathclyde student and you don't have this app already... how have you survived? You can easily check your library account to see if any of your books are due soon, book a group study room and check your class timetable. Another great feature is the ability to check how many computers are available in each building and even which floors have the most computers free, so you don't need to waste any time walking around campus looking for the best study spot!
Relax Melodies
Now this app might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it for when I need serious concentration in the library. If you are like me, you want to tune out all the background noise while working, whether that is at uni or at home, and sometimes music can be distracting. I can never decide what to listen to, constantly have to skip songs I don't like, and I end up listening to the same album on repeat for 6 hours. This app allows you to listen to 'white noise' tracks like waterfalls, birds singing or relaxing piano. The best part is you can actually mix the tracks to create your favourite sounds. My go-to is slow waves with birds... honestly, you've got to try it!
Step 3: Follow Accounts That You Love
After changing the way you use your phone, you also need to change the way you use social media. Scrolling through pictures of people you haven't seen since high school always feels like a waste of time, so it's better to unfollow and start focusing on what you enjoy. That way, when you open your social media feeds you are met with positivity and things you are passionate about! Here are some of my recommendations on Instagram:
@happinessplanner
If you love beautiful notepads and diaries as well as inspirational quotes, you'll want to hit follow on this amazing account.
@glasgow.life
Sometimes it's easy to forget everything we have on our doorstep, so take a look at this account for stunning shots of Glasgow.
@mrshinchhome
Whether you are all about this new tidying/cleaning trend on Instagram or not, Mrs Hinch will definitely make you laugh with her daily Stories and adorable dog (and make you want to clean your whole house).
@glasgowfoodgeek
I'm all about the work/life balance... and at the weekend there is nothing better than rewarding yourself with a ton of delicious food. Check out Glasgow Food Geek for recommendations and reviews of Glasgow's best food spots.
Got any smartphone tips to share with our readers? Leave us a comment below, we'd love to hear how you use your phone to be more productive!
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