When I found myself squinting at my smartphone at 2 AM, I knew something had to change. My late-night scrolling wasn’t only stealing my sleep, it was taking a toll on my mental wellbeing too.

So, I decided to wage a personal war against screen time – and, believe it or not, I won!

Cutting down screen time in half might seem like an impossible feat, but let me assure you, it’s not.

I did it, using 8 simple tricks that required nothing more than a bit of self-discipline and a willingness to change. And now, I am not just more productive but also happier!

In this article, I’ll share these tricks with you, hoping they’ll help you regain control over your digital life too.

Get ready for some digital detox!

1) Setting screen time limits

The first step to my digital detox journey was acknowledging that I had a problem.

Like most people, I was underestimating my screen time by a mile. It wasn’t until I started tracking it that I realized how much time I was actually spending with my face glued to a screen.

Once I had that number, cutting it down in half suddenly became a tangible goal, not just a vague idea.

So, I started setting daily limits on my phone and laptop. It wasn’t easy at first, but eventually, I got used to it.

I even began enjoying the extra time I had on my hands. Suddenly, I was reading more books, spending more time outdoors, and generally living a healthier lifestyle.

This little trick made me understand that the road to less screen time starts with self-awareness and setting achievable goals. And trust me, once you get the ball rolling, the rest becomes easier.

2) Designating ‘tech-free’ zones

This trick came to me when I realized that my phone was the first thing I reached for in the morning and the last thing I put away at night.

My bedroom had turned into an extension of my digital world, and that was wreaking havoc on my sleep and peace of mind.

So, I decided to reclaim my personal space and make it a ‘tech-free’ zone. That meant no phones, laptops, or tablets in the bedroom – period.

The first few nights were hard. I felt like an addict going through withdrawal. But slowly, I started sleeping better, and my mornings became more serene, no longer dictated by the influx of emails or social media updates.

By creating a ‘tech-free’ zone in my home, I not only reduced my screen time but also improved the quality of my rest. It was a win-win!

3) Swapping digital activities with physical ones

Did you know the average person checks their phone 96 times a day? That’s once every 10 minutes!

Now, imagine if we used even a fraction of that time for something more productive or enriching. We could learn a new skill, indulge in a hobby, or just take a moment to breathe.

This realization led me to swap some of my digital activities with physical ones. Instead of scrolling through social media during lunch breaks, I started taking short walks. Instead of binge-watching shows in the evening, I started cooking or reading a book.

The result was instantaneous. Not only did my screen time decrease, but I also felt more active and less stressed. It was a simple change that made a significant difference.

4) Using the grayscale mode

One of the most effective tricks I used to cut my screen time in half was turning my phone display to grayscale.

You see, our brains are naturally drawn to vibrant colors and this is exactly what app designers use to their advantage. The bright, colorful icons on our screens are strategically designed to grab our attention and keep us hooked.

By turning my screen to grayscale, I made my phone less appealing and hence, spent less time on it. It was like switching off a magnet that was constantly pulling me towards it.

This trick might sound simple, but it’s surprisingly effective. Give it a try and see how your screen time decreases!

5) Turning off unnecessary notifications

The constant barrage of notifications was one of the main reasons I was always reaching for my phone. It’s like every app was screaming for my attention, and I was giving in, every single time.

So, I decided to take control and turned off all unnecessary notifications. Yes, I kept the essential ones like calls, text messages, and work emails. But social media updates, news alerts, game reminders? They all had to go.

This was not an easy step. In fact, I had serious FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) in the beginning. But gradually, I realized that most of these ‘urgent’ updates were not really that urgent.

By turning off unnecessary notifications, I significantly reduced my screen time and also reclaimed some peace of mind. It felt like I was back in the driver’s seat of my digital life.

6) Using technology to fight technology

This might sound a bit paradoxical, but one of the most effective ways I found to cut my screen time was actually to use more technology.

Specifically, I started using apps designed to help manage and reduce screen time. These apps provided me with detailed reports about my usage habits, helping me to pinpoint where most of my time was going.

Moreover, these apps allowed me to set daily limits for different applications and send reminders when I was nearing those limits.

By using technology in this manner, I was able to gain a clearer picture of my digital habits and take concrete steps to reduce my screen time. It’s a little like fighting fire with fire, but it really works!

7) Scheduling tech-free hours

Another simple trick that helped me cut my screen time in half was scheduling tech-free hours in my day.

Just like we schedule meetings or appointments, I started to schedule time in my day where I would not use any digital devices. This meant no checking emails, no browsing social media, and certainly no mindless scrolling.

Initially, I started with just an hour a day. But as I got more comfortable with being offline, I gradually increased the duration.

Having tech-free hours not only decreased my screen time but also made me more mindful about how I spent the rest of my day. It was a small step that made a big difference in my digital habits.

8) Cultivating mindful usage

The most important trick, the one that truly made a difference, was cultivating mindful usage.

I realized that mindless scrolling was my biggest enemy. I was spending hours on my phone without even realizing it, simply because it had become a habit.

So, I started to be more conscious about when and why I was reaching for my phone. Was I bored? Was I trying to avoid something? Or was it just a reflex?

By practicing mindful usage, I became more aware of my digital habits and started using technology with intention, rather than out of habit. This shift in attitude was the final piece of the puzzle that helped me cut my screen time in half.

Final thoughts

If you’re still here, reading this, it’s safe to assume that you’re serious about reducing your screen time.

And that’s the first step – acknowledging the issue and being willing to make a change.

Cutting down screen time isn’t about demonizing technology. After all, it’s an integral part of our lives, helping us work, learn, and stay connected.

The real challenge is to use it mindfully and not let it consume our lives. It’s about finding that sweet spot where we’re using technology to enhance our lives, not consume it.

And the beautiful thing is, once you start making these little changes, you’ll start noticing the difference. You’ll feel more present, more connected to the world around you, and less chained to your digital devices.

It might not be an easy journey, but trust me, it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, life happens offline.