This fall, I read many books on habit formation (in the hopes of building better writing and health/healing habits). Several have been terrific, helpful, and practical (see below). I have already blogged about a couple of them here and here.
While each book had a different focus, at least one chunk of each book was devoted to limiting (some would say severely limiting) screen time, including use of smartphones, and specifically social media and email.
It’s well accepted and scientifically proven now that screen time changes even babies’ brains, induces ADHD in children, and creates and deepens depression in teens. However, it does just as much damage to adults. It does more than waste time. It also causes or deepens depression, creates brain fog and forgetfulness, increases internal pressure to hurry, helps us procrastinate, and robs us of much needed time for other things.
If this describes you, and you want to know how to kick the screen habit, try these books:
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
- The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
- How to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price
I decided, for Christmas this year, to give myself a gift: detoxing from screen time, including social media. My “default” needs to be re-set. It is a gift that should outlast the holiday season.
Filling All That Free Time
What will I replace all that screen time with during the holidays? For the most part, reading. I have noticed that when I am sick or simply exhausted, nothing revives me like reading for pleasure. Even just fifteen minutes immersed in a good book can rejuvenate me.
Turns out, I’m not alone at all. There are books on reading for healing! Here are two of them that I like.
- Reading to Heal: How to Use Bibliotherapy to Improve Your Life by Jacqueline Stanley
- The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness: 751 Books to Cure What Ails You by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin
I’ll see you back on the blog early in January, 2019. I will be keeping notes in my journal about changes I experience during this time. I am eager to see how absence from screens and social media will change my experience of Christmas.
Until January, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!