4 Tips to Prevent Your Phone From Distracting You

Do you ever feel like you’re a slave to your phone? Does that little three-by-six device have a gravitational pull over your daily life? If so, it’s possible that your phone is killing your productivity and satisfaction.

4 Ways to Eliminate Smartphone Distractions

Your phone is not evil – but it is highly distracting. And if you want to live a life where you aren’t totally dependent on your phone, you have to be proactive about cutting these distractions off at the source. 

Here are several ways to do that:

1. Use Native Phone Settings to Minimize Interruptions

One of the easiest ways to stop your phone from distracting you is to take advantage of the built-in settings designed to limit notifications and interruptions. Both iPhones and Android devices come with a variety of features that can help you stay focused.

For example, Do Not Disturb mode allows you to silence all notifications, calls, and alerts except for the ones you specifically allow. You can schedule Do Not Disturb to turn on during certain hours—such as when you’re working, in meetings, or trying to sleep—so you won’t be bombarded with notifications throughout the day. On iPhones, you can also use Focus Mode, which lets you customize which apps and contacts can reach you during work hours, relaxation time, or while driving.

Another useful feature is the Notification Summary or Notification Manager. Instead of letting notifications pop up all day long, you can group them into summaries and receive them at designated times. This way, you won’t feel the constant urge to check your phone whenever something new comes in.

By simply tweaking your phone’s settings, you can cut down on the number of distractions and regain control over when and how you engage with your device.

2. Install Apps That Block Content or Limit Usage

Sometimes, it’s not just the notifications that are the problem – it’s the temptation to open apps like social media, news, or games and spend way too much time on them. If you find yourself falling into the black hole of endless scrolling, it might be time to enlist the help of apps designed to block or limit your usage.

Apps like Forest and Stay Focused can help you stay productive by blocking access to distracting websites and apps for a set amount of time. With Forest, for example, you plant a virtual tree that grows as long as you stay off your phone. If you use your phone during the focus period, the tree dies – giving you a fun, visual way to stay accountable.

You can also set up app usage limits directly on your phone. Both iPhones and Android devices offer Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing features, respectively, which allow you to monitor your phone usage and set daily time limits for specific apps. These features will remind you when you’re nearing your limit and can even lock you out of the app once you’ve hit the cap.

3. Deal With Spam Callers

We all get annoyed by spam phone calls and text messages, but did you know that these calls might actually be illegal?

“Like many people, you might receive calls or text messages several times a day or week by the same entity, whether a debt collection agency or another company, regardless of whether you pick up the phone or not,” attorney Jibrael S. Hindi points out. “It is highly likely that the call or text message was made using an autodialing system (ATDS). This type of call or text is illegal under the TCPA if you have not permitted the entity to contact you.”

If you get a lot of spam callers, you’ll obviously want to block numbers that call repeatedly. However, this doesn’t take your name off any mass lists you’re on. Your best option is probably to hire an attorney to help you send a message to these spammers so that you can keep your phone from ringing at all hours of the day.

4. Establish Some Daily Disciplines

Setting boundaries around your phone usage can greatly enhance your focus and productivity. Establishing daily disciplines will help you create healthier habits.

• Designate Phone-Free Times: Set specific times during the day when you will not use your phone. This could be during meals, while working on important tasks, or an hour before bed. Use this time to engage in other activities that bring you joy, like reading, exercising, or spending time with loved ones.

• Limit Social Media Use: Consider setting a daily limit for how much time you spend on social media. Most smartphones allow you to track and limit app usage, helping you to stay within your set boundaries.

• Create a Charging Station: Designate a spot in your home where you charge your phone away from your immediate workspace. This can reduce the temptation to check your phone constantly throughout the day.

By intentionally setting boundaries and creating a more structured approach to your phone usage, you can reduce distractions and improve your overall productivity.

Untether From Your Phone

Over the past decade, smartphones have reached “appendage” status. For all intents and purposes, they’ve become a part of who we are as humans. And while we can argue the good and bad of this new reality, the only practical thing we can do is look for ways to step back and find some separation. Hopefully, this article has given you a few ideas on how to do just that.