SCS32-W4 || Real-Life Problem Solving Challenge: Reduce Mobile Addiction

Hello friends, welcome to my blog again. Let’s talk about screen time.

How Many Hours Do You Use Your Mobile Phone, and Which Application Is Used the Most?

I spend about 11-12 hours on my phone daily mostly 11 hours plus on the average as I have observed over time from my screen time tracker. This may seem like so much of screen time, but a significant amount of these times are dedicated to productive things like taking notes, learning, communicating and managing other things that are personal and business related

	My screen time monitor

From my screen time tracker, the application I use most is my phone notebook. I rely on it much because I use it to track my day through my things to do. I always keep going back to it to ensure I am following my schedule.

I also use it to write posts, ideas, plans, outline contents, goals and important information that I do not want to forget. As someone who enjoys learning and creating contents, I often receive inspiration at different times of the day, and the Notebook app is the place where I write them down and it also helps me keep track of my day and projects that I am working on.

The second app I use the most is Safari. I use Safari extensively to write steemit posts, research about things and questions when I am working or studying new topics on real estate, personal development and other areas of my interest. So it’s basically my browser when I want to learn something new or verify information. It’s my go to application.

	My most used apps

My Usage Pattern
My daily phone usage typically includes:

• Writing notes, ideas, and plans in my Notebook app.
• Conducting research and reading articles through Safari.
• Working on steemit
• Learning about real estate
• Creating content for social media and online platforms.
• Communicating with my family, clients and colleagues.
• Reading educational materials and personal development resources and books.
• Managing my daily schedules and important tasks.

Although I spend several hours on my phone each day, much of my time is focused on productivity, learning, and personal growth rather than just entertainment.

What are the reasons why you use your mobile phone so much?

There are alot of reasons why I use my mobile phone much and they include:

	Notebook helps me plan

A. Planning and organization: I use my phone to plan myself and organized myself for the day to be able to maximize my time and be productive. Almost all my work is done with my phone and online.

B. Business and Work:As someone who is involved in real estate, I use my phone to create videos , edit these videos. Research on real estate topics, interact with my clients and also promote my business online and also participate in steemit.

C. Learning and Personal Development: My phone helps me to access materials that I used to learn and read up about my area of interest.

I use my phone and the apps such as YouTube extensively to learn about real estate, marketing strategies, business growth, and personal development. I also use it to learn from other content creators to see what they do and improve.

D. Communication: My phone helps me stay connected with my family, my friends, clients, and other business associates through calls, messages, and social media platforms especially WhatsApp.

E. Content Creation: I use my phone to make videos, editing them, designing thumbnails, and publishing posts on steemit.

	Research tabs from safari

Effect of Screen Time on My Life.

Screen time over time have proven to have both positive and negative effects. Here are some of the effects.

Positive Effects

• It has helped to Increase my knowledge and skills.
• Gives me better business opportunities as I post about my business.
• Helps me communicate easily with others
• Grants me unlimited access to educational resources that improves me.

Negative Effects

• It’s causes eye strain after long periods of usage.
• It leads to reduced physical activity as I am mostly on my phone.
• It also a source of occasional distractions and procrastination.
• Cause mental fatigue from excessive screen exposure.

Three Physical Activities That Take Me Away from Screen Time

Even though I spend a much time on my phone. I consciously engage in activities that will help to disconnect me from my phone, reduce screen time, refresh my mind, and help me to maintain a healthy balance between digital world and real world experiences. Some of those activities includes:

Cooking

	me cooking

One of the activities that takes me away from my phone is cooking. Cooking meals requires my full attention starting from going to get the ingredients for the cooking to the actually cooking and cooking process. I naturally put away my phone and focus on the task at hand.

Benefits of this physical activity:

• It encourages creativity and practical life skills.
• Reduces my exposure to screen time.
• It helps me to relax and enjoy a productive activity.
• I get an opportunity to prepare healthy meals.

Reading Books.

	reading

Reading is another activity that helps me disconnect from my phone. Whether I am reading educational materials, or books on personal development books, or real estate contents, reading allows me to focus deeply without the distractions that often come with digital devices and hence reducing my screen time.

Benefits of Reading:

• It Improves my concentration and focus.
• Helps me to Expands my knowledge and vocabulary.
• It Enhances my critical thinking skills.
• Above all, it Provides a peaceful break from screens and notifications.

Walking and Exercising

	taking a walk

Walking and exercising are very important parts of my routine. Whenever I am taking for a walk or exercising, I intentionally keep my phone away and focus on my health and wellbeing. These activities help me to clear my mind, reduce stress, and improve my overall fitness.

Benefits of Walking and Exercising:

• Walking and exercising Improves my physical health and endurance.
• They also boosts energy levels and mood.
• Helps to reduces stress and mental fatigue.
• It mento live a healthier lifestyle and better work-life balance.

These activities help me to maintain a healthy balance between the use of technology and my real-life experiences. They do not only reduce my screen time but also contribute positively to my physical health, mental well-being, and personal development.

Benefits I Saw When I Reduced My Screen Time

Previously, my daily screen time was often above 15 hours I spent a lot of time learning, browsing social media, and creating content. After I started to consciously engage in more physical activities, I noticed my screen time gradually reduced. And it had its benefits.

Benefits I Experienced

• It gave me better concentration and productivity.
• I had less eye fatigue and pains due to long hours on my phone.
• The quality of my sleep improved
• My physical activities increased physical activity.
• I had better mental well-being.
• My daily routine become more balanced

By spending more time outdoors and engaging in productive physical activities, I feel healthier and more energized.

Advice to Others on Reducing Excessive Screen Time

Excessive screen time can affect both our physical and mental health. Here are some tips that can help others reduce mobile phone usage:

1. Set Daily Screen Time Limits: Users should use their phone's screen time feature to monitor and control phone time usage.
2. Engage in Outdoor Activities: They should spend time walking, exercising, gardening, or participating in sports or doing other physical activities hence staying away from the phone.
3. Avoid Using Phones During Meals: Phones should be kept aside during meals and conversations to reduce distractions.
4. Schedule Phone-Free Hours: They should bring out specific periods during the day when they do not use their phone.
5. Prioritize Real-Life Interactions: They should spend more time with family, friends, and community members.
6. Use Technology Purposefully: Use their phone mainly for learning, work, and meaningful communication rather than endless scrolling and entertainment

In Conclusion, mobile phones are powerful tools when we use them wisely. Although I spend many hours on my phone for learning and business purposes, I also recognize the importance of balancing screen time with physical activities. By engaging in walking, cooking, reading and other outdoor activities, I can maintain a healthier lifestyle while still benefiting from technology.

My engagements

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Thank you. I invite @blessedlife, @wirngo, @ngozi996 to participate in this challenge.