Jacqueline Nesi

One thing, one first step we can take to try to improve our relationships with our devices is to think about using it more mindfully. Less mind, lessly, and more mindfully. Meaning just taking a step back and really trying to be aware of the times when we reach for our phones, that automatic unlocking behavior that so many of us do, and really trying to think about when we're using it and why.

What's the purpose?

What's the purpose?

What's the purpose?

Yeah, it's a great question. I think so. The first thing, of course, is to be aware, right? To know, like, think about, you know, when we're turning to our device, what exactly we're doing on there and when that's feeling like a problem to us, right?

Yeah, it's a great question. I think so. The first thing, of course, is to be aware, right? To know, like, think about, you know, when we're turning to our device, what exactly we're doing on there and when that's feeling like a problem to us, right?

Yeah, it's a great question. I think so. The first thing, of course, is to be aware, right? To know, like, think about, you know, when we're turning to our device, what exactly we're doing on there and when that's feeling like a problem to us, right?

So for many people, this is something like they're happy to use their phone for utilities, things like Google Maps to get directions somewhere, or they want to be able to make phone calls, things like that, that are more Even like they want to be able to listen to a podcast like this one or to music. So maybe those are things that they want to be able to do on their phone. They appreciate that.

So for many people, this is something like they're happy to use their phone for utilities, things like Google Maps to get directions somewhere, or they want to be able to make phone calls, things like that, that are more Even like they want to be able to listen to a podcast like this one or to music. So maybe those are things that they want to be able to do on their phone. They appreciate that.

So for many people, this is something like they're happy to use their phone for utilities, things like Google Maps to get directions somewhere, or they want to be able to make phone calls, things like that, that are more Even like they want to be able to listen to a podcast like this one or to music. So maybe those are things that they want to be able to do on their phone. They appreciate that.

They don't feel like it's getting in the way. But then there are other activities they might start to recognize are sort of the culprits for things that are not making them feel as good. For many people, that's things like mindlessly scrolling social media or maybe automatically, you know, reflexively checking email or checking a news app. Those kinds of things tend to come up a lot.

They don't feel like it's getting in the way. But then there are other activities they might start to recognize are sort of the culprits for things that are not making them feel as good. For many people, that's things like mindlessly scrolling social media or maybe automatically, you know, reflexively checking email or checking a news app. Those kinds of things tend to come up a lot.

They don't feel like it's getting in the way. But then there are other activities they might start to recognize are sort of the culprits for things that are not making them feel as good. For many people, that's things like mindlessly scrolling social media or maybe automatically, you know, reflexively checking email or checking a news app. Those kinds of things tend to come up a lot.

But there are also a lot of tools that you can use. You know, on the iPhone, there is the screen time setting. You can go into your screen time settings. You can set time limits on certain apps, or you can block apps at different times of day using settings like downtime. Android devices also have a similar feature through their digital well-being tools.

But there are also a lot of tools that you can use. You know, on the iPhone, there is the screen time setting. You can go into your screen time settings. You can set time limits on certain apps, or you can block apps at different times of day using settings like downtime. Android devices also have a similar feature through their digital well-being tools.

But there are also a lot of tools that you can use. You know, on the iPhone, there is the screen time setting. You can go into your screen time settings. You can set time limits on certain apps, or you can block apps at different times of day using settings like downtime. Android devices also have a similar feature through their digital well-being tools.

And then the other thing I would say is just outside of the sort of like technical side of things, there are things you can do just in your day-to-day habits as well to try to reduce your mindless use if that's what you're looking to do. Yeah. You can try to set phone-free times of day, whether that's meals or other times. You can try to set phone-free locations of your house.

And then the other thing I would say is just outside of the sort of like technical side of things, there are things you can do just in your day-to-day habits as well to try to reduce your mindless use if that's what you're looking to do. Yeah. You can try to set phone-free times of day, whether that's meals or other times. You can try to set phone-free locations of your house.

And then the other thing I would say is just outside of the sort of like technical side of things, there are things you can do just in your day-to-day habits as well to try to reduce your mindless use if that's what you're looking to do. Yeah. You can try to set phone-free times of day, whether that's meals or other times. You can try to set phone-free locations of your house.

So certain places where maybe you decide you're not going to use your phone, certain rooms or maybe on the couch or something like that. I think you can talk to your family and friends about what sort of the phone guidelines are going to be when you're spending time with each other. And that can go a long way.