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Eight Ways You Can Use Your Phone To Actually Boost Relaxation And Increase Productivity

Young Entrepreneur Council

With mobile use constantly on the rise, users are now spending as much as 3 hours and 15 minutes a day on their phone, most of it exploring different apps. While smartphones provide a handy way to check in and get information on virtually anything you would ever want to know, they can also be a distraction and source of stress.

You may feel like your smartphone is taking over your life. With instant access to emails and messages and social media at your beck and call, you will feel compelled to always stay connected. Your smartphone has certainly proven its worth, but can it be used to help you unwind and de-stress too? The resounding answer may be “no,” but there is a way to get more capability out of your phone and use it for good rather than the “evils” of the office.

Below, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council discuss several that you can use your phone’s capabilities to maximize your relaxation time and actually benefit your productivity. Here’s what they recommend:

All photos courtesy of individual members

1. Prioritize Your Phone Usage

Everyone has a different way they work most effectively, and technology inevitably plays a role in nearly every area of our day now. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, the easiest place to start is with prioritization and setting barriers with the things you’re conscious are most likely to distract you. I keep my calls, email and text messaging set to "do not disturb" at different points of the day where I know my volume of work is highest and I can’t afford to be taken off task. Doing this really helps me define my to-do list and prioritize the most important activities throughout the day. When I’m not in my office, I like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks as a way to stay in tune with my personal interests outside of work and continue learning. -Eyal RonenPuls

2. Turn Off All Notifications

Try not letting your phone make any noise but a ring. Not even text tones. When you do this, you make it easier to set it down and forget about it, and you also make it simpler to be more proactive when you are using your phone. These devices are designed for rabbit-hole style distraction. Notification here, link to app there, link to new page within app, article, video to play, it's infinite. When all notifications are off, you choose what you go to and find and do with your phone. I guarantee you won't miss much -- so many people are in a loop of checking every app on their phone anyway that they will see messages with or without notifications. -Zev Herman, Superior Lighting

3. Listen To Podcasts Or Audiobooks

Since phones are most distracting when they're used for short-duration activities (for example, checking a notification, scrolling through a news feed, reading a message), I try to use my phone only for longer activities, such as listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or reading a long article. This is particularly effective when I'm sitting on a bus, walking somewhere, or waiting in line. Consuming long-form content in this way allows me to learn about subjects more deeply, and converts what would've otherwise been unproductive dead time into focus time where I can let my mind explore. - Roger LeeHuman Interest

4. Download The Moment App

While the Moment App certainly doesn't solve all of the issues of a distracting phone, it certainly helps. This app tracks how you use your phone, how much time you spend on your phone daily and specifically. It's important to learn how your time is spent on your phone, and from there to make changes to better maximize your time. Apple also just announced that their iOS 12 will have built-in tools to help users better understand how their phones are used. Understanding is step one; from there you can take measures to improve your relationship with your phone. -Leila LewisBe Inspired PR

5. Strike A Balance

It is crucial that we do not end up spending more “screen time” than is actually required, not only because it affects productivity, but also because of its adverse effect on health. Taking cue, both Android and Apple let users choose from various apps that tell them how much time they spend on their devices, offering intricate break-ups as well. With the Screen Time feature that is part of iOS 12, Apple users don’t have to look far. Minimizing the number of notifications you get from different apps is one way to go, and you might also want to consider putting your phone off before you go to bed. Alarm clocks, so you know, remain easily available. When you have free time, make use of apps that help you relax. Meditate, exercise, read, or listen to music. There’s an app for that. - Derek RobinsonTop Notch Dezigns

6. Use Distraction Blocking Features

There's plenty of tools out there that will block social media and other distracting applications throughout the workday. One of the difficulties has been getting that functionality through on a mobile device. Newer mobile operating systems are including functionalities that will raise awareness of device usage. Consumers can choose to limit certain applications and take control of their digital life. As a company, it's important to have a conversation with your co-workers about distractions. Having a strategy for creating time for deep, focused work will allow your team to be more effective. As an employee, don't feel guilty for going off the grid for a few hours to complete important work. - Michael FellowsBroadway Lab, Inc.

7. Text Only

Use your phone to your full advantage and turn off or mute all notifications. How many times have you absentmindedly swiped "YES" to send notifications? All of those notifications turn into hours of distractions. A big part of our company culture is mindfulness and it has to start with me. If I was not vigilant and had alerts going off on my phone and was constantly checking it, my team would see that I was not fully engaged in our projects, clients, and work. I check my phone only when I intend to, on my own terms. I turn everything off, just keep the text message on, and I check Instagram or other social channels once or twice a day to post and respond, keeping my attention where it should be: on my staff, clients, and family. -Matthew CapalaAlphametic

8. Get Rid Of Unnecessary Apps

It's tempting to download every app that sounds like it does something useful. But in truth, you probably only use a handful and the rest are distractions. Social media apps are especially distracting. At the very least, you should turn off notifications or make notifications silent so you aren't disturbed every time you get a new Facebook message. I think it really comes down to using your phone and other devices consciously. You're not obligated to be available 24/7 and you don't need to read every new message the second it arrives. - Shawn PoratScorely

