Shorter and colder days usually mean more time indoors, which can include binge-watching, getting caught up on online tasks, and even extra online shopping around here. I find it a little too easy to get stuck in front of a screen this time of year. And while I’m no fan of screen-time shaming, I am making an effort to be present with my family as much as I can in 2020.
I’m partnering with CooperVision—makers of Biofinity Energys®, the only contact lenses specifically designed for today’s digital lifestyles—to share with you some ways we can actively reduce our screen time this winter, and keep it in check throughout the new year.
5 Ways To Keep Your Screen-Time In Check Over The Winter
Stop obsessing over and perfecting your digital organization. Done is better than perfect.
If you get an intense urge to organize and purge all the files and photos on your devices at the beginning of the year, you’re not alone. This is a popular time for cleaning up clutter, both on and off screens.
Time block and be intentional about when you’re going to work on these tasks. Come into it with a plan, but be ok with just getting it done instead of getting it done perfectly. Here’s my general approach:
- I usually start by deleting all the screenshots I don’t need.
- Then I move all my files into one spot, sort by date, and file into monthly folders.
- Finally, I back up to a cloud service and a hard drive.
Don’t spend hours and hours meta tagging and sub-filing everything. If you want to be better organized, vow to set up better systems moving forward, but don’t tie yourself to your computer for a month trying to go back in time and make things perfect. I gleaned a lot of this from a 10 Things To Tell You podcast episode about digital file organization.
When it comes to online shopping, make a list, check it twice, then walk away.
This will not only keep you from getting sucked into the vortex of all your discount shopping apps, but it will also save you money! Try to keep your shopping and browsing time intentional and focus on what you know you are looking for.
Some apps will let you set up alerts for the items on your list. And you can always ask your friends to let you know if they see a deal on something you have your eyes on.
Unsubscribe to emails. This initial screen-time investment will save you time in the future. Sit down and unsubscribe to as many unwanted email lists and newsletters as you can in a 20-minute window.
Schedule family activities and family screen-free time. If your family likes watching movies together or cuddling up on the couch for cozy binge sessions, plan for them along with activities that don’t involve a screen.
Our current screen-free family activities include a new puzzle and many LEGO sets the kids were gifted for the holidays. We are also planning a Hogwarts-inspired dinner with recipes from a new cookbook.
Set new boundaries for yourself. If you would like to spend less time on screens and more time with your family, think about ways you can cut back that won’t make your life more difficult. If mindless Instagram and Facebook scrolling is an issue for you (it is for me!), try setting up screen-time limits within the apps.
Screen Time Happens! Wear Contacts Made For Your Digital Lifestyle
Screen time is a fact of life. I think we are able to accomplish a lot in a day because of the screens in our lives, and there’s no shame in that. We can all make a conscious effort to reduce screen time and get as much face-to-face time with people in our lives, but you may feel the effects of digital device usage on your eyes.
Here are some symptoms (or effects) you may experience:
Tired eyes
Dryness in eyes
Burning
Eye irritation
Soreness in eyes
Eye strain or pain
Blurry/double vision
Headaches
Tearing/watery eyes
Text moving/floating
If you’re a contact lens wearer like I am, you may find some of these symptoms are even more pronounced for you. In 2019, I switched to Biofinity Energys contact lenses and shared my experience—you can read more about it here. To summarize, they have been life changing.
My eyes used to feel dry and blurry after less than 12 hours of wear in my previous brand of contact lenses. Now, I can wear my contacts all day and long into late nights working and writing without any issues.
CooperVision would like to give you a free trial pair of Biofinity Energys contact lenses. Click here to download a coupon to take to your next eye doctor’s appointment.
Click below to get my eBook! Learn how to take and edit photos you LOVE with just your phone and some free/cheap apps!
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