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treating a middle a...
 

[Closed] treating a middle aged zombie phone habit

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I would suggest meditation... It is essentially the practice of doing the very opposite. And practice makes perfect.

It's not the sole remedy but I think it's potentially the most powerful tool you have. Not only do you get to practice being in a place without any stimulus, it brings your attention back to the outside world and away from the inner thoughts that fuel the process.

In my opinion, that mental practice is essential if you want to protect yourself from the growing number of influences around us.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 10:01 am
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I know someone who got really bad with their phone.

I advised to put it on a shelf and set the timer for 1hr, and they could only look at it again when the time was up.

Might be worth a try as a crude way of rationing screen time.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 10:19 am
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I wouldn’t.

Unlock phone with fingerprint…
Tap clock on home screen….
All alarm times/routines set are then visible whether active or not, with toggles for each one. So turning one off & another on takes 2 presses.

The whole process takes around 5 seconds (I just tried it).

That’s one of the main reasons I haven’t defected to a different alarm clock; I’m yet to find something that works as well.

I think that’s missing the point. Surely the question is whether it’s worth the expense and hassle of a separate alarm clock to keep the phone away. To me it is


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 10:35 am
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ampthill

I think that’s missing the point. Surely the question is whether it’s worth the expense and hassle of a separate alarm clock to keep the phone away. To me it is

I do get the point, but was merely asking whether an alarm clock exists that allows me to replicate the way I use my phone alarm without actually using the phone.
If a Casio alarm clock exists that allows me to have multiple alarms programmed and then just select the one I want, then that would be great. But if it's more of a ballache to use, I'll just end up using my phone again.

That Lenovo clock linked to above by p7eaven is the closest I've found, but it's perhaps overkill as I don't need the smart aspect of it. I could just turn the mic off and ignore all that as it's not exactly expensive.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 10:52 am
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The best remedies for me are very simple ones.

Acceptance, with the understanding that you're doing something about it

Turn off notifications. If you don't see the number, or hear the ping, then it's easier to ignore.

Do something that actually interests you rather than just anything that isn't the phone. Puzzles, reading, scale modelling, cooking...you know; hobbies.

When you're doing something you like (presumably MTB for instance) put the phone somewhere where stopping getting it out, taking your gloves off, is a PITA so you don't do it. Or if you can't trust yourself, don't take it with you.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:03 am
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I am pretty much the same, don't see it as much of a problem until I am sat in the pub and feel an urge to check my phone, WTAF? Before mobile phones you didn't feel the need to run off and grab a newspaper every 5 mins, or ask a random stranger what they had been up to in the last hour, check answer machine messages etc. when you were in a pub.

Anyone have an idiots guide to using Google smart speaker tech so that I can ask it what time my first meeting is, set appropriate alarms, and then be able to leave my phone downstairs at night?


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:07 am
 MSP
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For an alarm option to get the phone out of the bedroom (although rather expensive option).

I have a couple of those ikea symfonisk lamps with hue bulbs, I have a sunrise set for the lights so they transition from a low light red setting to bright daylight over 30 mins at which point the music comes on. The phone can be anywhere in fact it would mean having to get out of bed to turn it off if the phone was elsewhere.

I don't have a problem with overuse of my phone, but have developed a terrible procrastination habbit of browsing the internet while I am meant to be working that I wish I could find a solution for. Anyone know of an application that can timelock websites on a computer that I could install on my laptop? I would like to see what effect just allowing access to the main websites that I use to my lunch and coffee breaks would have.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:20 am
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How much do you really need a smartphone? Maybe try a simpler one that has the basics but won't be useable enough for the addictive things.

I have a Nokia 2720 4G which is fine for me, has the ability to run basic apps & internet access but only really want to when needed... can give a full review if you're actually interested!

Plus, flip phones are awesome 😁


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:20 am
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@stump01, do you have an old phone in a drawer?

If you have (or get a s/h one) , delete all the unwanted apps from it and just have the clock/alarm running. I've done the same, with just hive Hive app and weather on it as well as a poor man's smart alarm clock, works well.

Keep your main phone out of the bedroom.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:27 am
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I have also went for the 2 phone strategy.
Works one I've signed out of social media accounts on it.
Other one us a sim-less Note 3 with a really poor battery, it stays at home mostly. If it's out of charge, oh well nevermind.
This method seems to have cured the Facebook dependency, now to go cold turkey on insta!


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 11:45 am
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Unlock phone with fingerprint…
Tap clock on home screen….
All alarm times/routines set are then visible whether active or not, with toggles for each one. So turning one off & another on takes 2 presses.get distracted by Facebook and spend half and hour scrolling.

Twiddle dial, done.

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Posted : 16/01/2022 12:13 pm
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Not a bad idea fettlin

tinas - HA HA, that's funny. And probably a bit true. Although I don't have FB on my phone for just that reason.


 
Posted : 16/01/2022 12:27 pm
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