4 Tips to NOT be Addicted to Your Cell Phone

Does your phone seem to hold you hostage sometimes? 

Do you find yourself checking for new notifications or just scrolling through Instagram five times a day? 

Or better yet, if you don't answer a text within 5 minutes, your friend is sending another one asking why you're not responding? 

If it has such power, what can you do to loosen it's grip on your time? 

If you're like most of us, it gets too much of your down time. You want to be more productive but can't seem to put away the phone long enough to think of something else to do.

A few ideas to help get your free time back are: 

1. Reduce the number of notifications you receive. Take the time to turn almost all notifications off. This will keep you from feeling the need to constantly check new notification alerts.

2. Only look at your phone when YOU have a purpose. This is a great one to follow if you've gotten into the habit of using your phone whenever you don't have something important to do. Many of us buffer time away on our phones but don't really get anything useful out of it.

3. Don't use it during church meetings.  Most of the time, if we are listening with our ears but not our hearts, we can miss getting our own personal revelation in our meetings and during our own study time. The spirit speaks so softly and takes focus and intention to receive promptings, so be intentional about really listening for the spirit.

4. Make a list of things you want to do during your free time. Make them enjoyable, active and things that can cultivate real relationships. These can be the most rewarding part of life. Then when you are tempted to just sit with your phone for a while, take a look through your list and find something more enjoyable. See how this can enhance your day!