Managing your screen time this holiday season…

With tensions running high and the event calendar chock full, it's easy to lose yourself in the noise on social media.

It's also easy to fall into over-sharing when we're constantly checking in with friends, sharing pictures and updates on what we're doing. It can be more tempting than ever to spend your time on your phone instead of in-person, especially when many of us in the creative industry rely so heavily on it.

In setting boundaries, you can find a balance between connecting with your community online and spending quality time offline with loved ones . . . even if that means turning off your phone once or twice a day!

Here are some tips from the Social Folk team on how to keep your screen time in check when it matters most…

We know all too well the feeling of seeing something pop up and thinking “ill just check it in case its important” and finding ourselves scrolling mindlessly through reels half an hour later!

If you struggle with willpower at the best of times, you’ll know that simply saying “I just wont look at my phone” is far easier said than done. We find what keeps us strong is accountability, and one of the ways we do this is by using screen limiters!

Screen Time

Not only does it show you your current screen time activity throughout the week, but it also allows you to set limits and schedule downtime.

These limits can be based on how long you allocate yourself to spend in an app each day, who can contact you and what notifications will be shown.

Have a play with it and see what works for you! It might take a bit of discipline at the start, but it’s all about fostering good screen habits so it’ll all be worth it!

Here are some instructions on how to use the feature, from Apple.

Android phones also have similar “Digital Wellbeing” features that can be used, take a look here for instructions on how to implement them.

Do not disturb

It seems like such a simple tool, but theres a whole lotta’ power in it!

Sometimes going further than limiting screen time is so necessary, especially when 15 minute tasks end up taking 2 hours because of distractions.

Whether we’ve needed to get on with something urgent or just needed an hour to breathe and reorganise, the DND function has saved us more times than we can count!

Focus

Another one for fellow Apple users is the latest “Focus” function in iOS (also on iPad which we LOVE).

It goes a little bit further than the DND function, and allows you to setup “focus profiles” with different notification settings depending on if you’re working, playing or taking a break.

Setting actual boundaries with clients/friends/family etc.

We can’t stress enough how valuable it is to have this conversation with the people around you this holiday season! Setting expectations doesn’t have to be an awkward thing, and actually it fosters a much healthier, transparent relationship - whether its work related or not.

If others know when you can be contacted and when to expect responses, they can adapt accordingly. Not only will this help reduce screen time, disruption and false-urgencies, but it will enable you to schedule in much deserved and much needed breaks from being online or on-call! Your mental health will thank you for it.

So there you have it, just a few of our most used tips and tricks for balancing screen time with fun time, this festive season!

Let us know if you give any a go, we’d love to know how they worked out for you!

A very merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Social Folk!