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Week 3-- Wellness



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This week we were challenged to track our cell phone usage. I did not do well with this. I kept forgetting to mark it down, and when I did remember I was supposed to be tracking my usage, I intentionally tried to limit it. When I read the statistic that on average we check our phones 150-200 times a day, I immediately thought, “No way, that is not me.” However, as it turns out, I am likely not an exception to the statistic, as difficult as that is for me to admit! Though I am not very active in posting on social media, I do consume it more than I would like. In her TED Talk, Allison Graham challenged us to unplug for an hour a day. I do find it refreshing to take a break from my phone. I have taken that challenge and am going to continue to try and do so.

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I have found that I primarily use my phone for convenience and out of boredom to pass a few minutes (or sometimes longer.. oops!). In attempts to change that habit of looking at my phone when I have a passing moment of boredom, I am toting a book around with me. This is what I used to do and reading was my go to activity to fill a few minutes if I have to wait (in the car for someone, waiting for an appointment, etc.). When I read in the gaps I have throughout my day, I never regret it. I never think that I should have been on my phone, or that I wasted time. I have noticed that the days I am more aware of my cell phone usage, I feel more productive and refreshed.

In terms of my convenience usage, I don’t know that I need to eliminate that as it often can help my productivity (if I manage the distraction factor), rather I need to monitor and be aware. Some of the things I do that I usually consider as convenient uses that can save time or increase productivity are: ordering things on Amazon. making dinner reservations using the OpenTable app, looking up recipes, checking hours of various businesses, looking up directions, listening to podcasts during a walk, and keeping a number of running lists on my phone using the Google Keep app. Right now, I don’t feel as though those things take away from my life, rather, I feel as they can add to it and they have the ability to help with productivity. The problem comes when I open my phone to add an item to my Costco list, something that should take about 10 seconds, but ends up taking 5-10 minutes (occasionally more). That is a complete waste of time. I plan to be more aware and proactive in this department for the rest of the summer (and hopefully onward).


In what ways does your phone suck your time? In what ways does your phone increase productivity?

References:

TED. (2014, November) Allison Graham: How social media makes us unsocial [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=d5GecYjy9-Q


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