9 Key Scenarios When You Should Stop Using Your Phone
Phone addiction is sneaky; like other forms of addiction, it’s hard to tell when you’re heading down its path. What makes it even sneakier is that using smartphones all the time has become a normalized social behavior, so much so that we now take phone addiction for granted.
However, it can hamper your social and professional life and make people around you feel excluded. To help simplify things, we’ve created a list of scenarios when you should put down your phone and be present. We also added some tips you’re able to follow to make the process easier.
1. Put Your Phone Away While Walking
Walking is second nature; it’s something that doesn’t require a lot of thought to do. But at the same time, walking can be dangerous, especially if you’re walking outside.
There are obvious hazardous scenarios like crossing the street, walking on slippery surfaces, or traversing elevated terrain. But some accidents happen to pedestrians simply by virtue of being outside. For example, there are many natural dangers like weak tree branches and other forces beyond your control.
Walking inside a building also poses its own risks, such as trip hazards and spills that may cause ER-worthy accidents.
While a few of these dangers could be unavoidable, a great deal of them can be avoided if you just pay a bit more attention to your surroundings. Do not text or read while walking—avoid anything you need your eyes for. If you really have to use your phone while walking, try using voice-activated features.
If you own an iPhone,set up and use Sirito do simple tasks like make phone calls or schedule reminders. Android users shoulduse Google Assistantinstead.
2. Don’t Use Your Phone at an Event With Friends and Family
Events and occasions are where it’s possible to create new memories with the ones that you love. It would be a shame if you spent your time with them looking at your phone. And it’s even worse if you’re spending that time looking at memories other people have recorded when there’s a new one happening right in front of you.
Not only does this rob you of memories, but you’re also ruining the experience for other people around you by giving them the impression that you’d rather not be there or that they aren’t worth your time.
However, some people have work that eats into the time they have with their loved ones. If you fall into that category, you should try to plan your time with a planner app. There are manyfree day planner appsto manage tasks and goals; we’re sure you’ll find one to help you draw up boundaries for your working time.
3. Don’t Use Your Phone at the Cinema or Theater
The first reason you shouldn’t use your phone while watching a play or a movie is that it’s a waste of money and time. You (or somebody) must have paid to access the venue, and it’s a waste to ignore what you paid for while you’re glued to your phone.
It’s also disrespectful to the actors and people performing. It sends a message that you’re simply not interested in the work they’ve put in for you. And it’s even more hurtful if the people in the play or movie are friends or family members.
Thirdly, it’s distracting for people around you—especially if you’re making a phone call or doing anything with sound. While at the cinema or theater, it’s always a good idea to put your phone in silent mode. iPhones have a nifty switch you can use to toggle silent mode, called the Ring/Silent switch, located at the top left side of the phone.
With your phone in silent mode, you’re less prone to distracting yourself and others with rings, notifications, or whatever media on your phone.
4. Put Your Phone Away While on a Date
While on a date, you’re there to give the impression of intentionality to your partner (or potential partner). Sticking to your smartphone is a harsh way of showing them your priorities. It comes off as rude and selfish; it’s an excellent way to drive away potential partners or to cause issues with your current partner.
In fact, if you find yourself constantly picking up your phone while on a date with someone you have strong feelings for, you are most likely addicted to your phone. You should consider findingan app that will help you unplug and live in the moment. Choose an app that will block incoming calls, stop you from using certain social media apps, and stop notifications completely.
5. Don’t Use Your Phone While Driving or Operating Machinery
No matter how adept you think you might be at driving or operating machinery, you should never do it while using your phone. This attitude of overconfidence or irresponsibility can be extremely dangerous. When you get into a car, truck, or heavy-duty vehicle, or you pick up powerful tools like a power drill, you must leave your phone alone until you are finished.
iPhones come with a driving Focus preset designed to reduce distractions while driving. You should customize the Focus mode so that once it connects to your car Bluetooth, your phone enters Driving Focus mode automatically. This will remind you to leave your phone alone once you get in. You can alsouse Focus Mode on Android phones.
6. Put Your Phone Down While in a Classroom or a Meeting
Yes, some classes can be tedious. But that’s no reason to spend that time on your phone. You might miss out on vital parts of your education while simultaneously disrespecting your teacher, possibly landing you in some trouble.
The same applies to meetings since you could miss vital pieces of information and appear unserious and disrespectful to the other parties. This type of behavior could cost you your career. If you need to research anything or make notes, it might be better to use a tablet or a laptop. Check out our list ofbest tablets for note-taking, choose one, and turn off your phone during class.
7. Don’t Use Your Phone During Conversations
Conversations are moments when two lives converge and affect each other. People share their thoughts, opinions, and worries through conversation, and it can make or break your relationship with a person. Taking out your phone and using it while someone is trying to converse with you is rude, selfish, and hurtful.
As much as you might like to think that you’re a good “multitasker,” the fact remains that you’re not giving the person you’re talking to the attention they deserve. Your replies will most likely come off as empty and distracted.
If you ever really need to use your phone while talking to someone, tell them to excuse you until you finish. After you finish, then you can resume the conversation.
8. Don’t Use a Phone While in a Place of Worship
Whether or not you believe in a religion, once you decide to come into someone’s place of worship, it’s a sacred place for them. You must respect them by abiding by their rules and composing yourself accordingly.
Most places of worship will advise attendees to switch off their devices because they can be loud and distracting. Follow the instructions and try not to text or browse social media—even with your earphones on.
Just like other things pointed out here, using your phone in someone’s sacred space is rude, dismissive, and demeaning. If you know for a fact that you need to use your phone, you should leave to attend to whatever it is that needs attention.
9. Put Your Phone Away When You Should Be Sleeping
Sleep is an important part of your health, and phone addiction can eat into it. There are manyreasons why you shouldn’t use your phone in bed, and among them are that it can cause eye strain and even contribute to insomnia, according to a study in theJournal of Psychiatric Research.
Instead of letting it be a negative force on your sleep quality, you should use your phone to improve your sleep health. We have a list ofapps you can use to fight insomnia and improve the quality of your sleep. Look through the list and pick apps that will put you to sleep, so you can leave your phone alone.
Drop Your Phone and Be Present
Everything you see on social media or the internet originated in the real world. Why focus so much on a filtered second-hand version when you have everything right in front of you? Be more present, be more mindful, and leave your phone alone.
Doing this might prove difficult at first, but with constant habit and intentionality, you will see a great improvement in your quality of life.
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