In today’s society, it seems everyone is constantly on their phones. The cell phone has become an essential part of our daily lives, and it is almost unimaginable what our world would be like today without them. Recently, I underwent initiation in my sorority. As per tradition, I was forced to give up my phone for the entire process. Although I felt lost at first, by the end I was glad that I had to do it. It made me realize how much time we waste daily on our phone, as well as the human interactions we miss out on. I started to think about all the things we could do instead of being on our phones, and I thought I would share my ideas with you all. So without further ado, I’d like to share my list of alternative activities to do instead of being on your cell phone.
Do homework/study:
Although this one might seem obvious, it’s still important to mention. You’d be surprised by how much time we all waste scrolling through our social media instead of finishing that essay due tomorrow. I know how tempting it is to check Instagram again when your phone is easily accessible. In order to avoid this temptation, I recommend going to a study area and leaving your phone in your dorm. This way, when you’re reaching to check your phone, you won’t be able to follow through and will be able to accomplish more work as a result.
Have quality conversations with people:
When we are constantly glued to our phones, we often fail to have meaningful face-to-face interactions with those around us. Before the invention of the phone, we took in-person conversations for granted. Today, however, it is too common to see groups of people hanging out but not talking because they are all on their phones. Every time I’ve decided to keep my cell phone use to a minimum when with friends, I’ve had so much more fun. Limiting its use has allowed me to become more observant and focused on those around me. In fact, some of my most meaningful conversations I’ve had are those that occurred when I kept my phone away.
Spend time outdoors:
Northwest Arkansas is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. With access to so many scenic areas, it would be a shame not to take full advantage of them. When we are constantly on our phones while exploring, we sometimes fail to fully appreciate the beauty around us. Taking time to look up from our phones to be surrounded by nature can be a refreshing change and one that I highly recommend.
Sleep:
Think about every time you’ve laid in bed late at night reading texting or looking at your social media pages. Every time you’ve been guilty of this (I have, as well) you are limiting the amount of sleep you get. Being a college student, it’s a given that we are usually sleep deprived. This fact is sometimes hard to change due to uncontrollable factors like 8:00 a.m. classes. However, we can all help ourselves a little by limiting our late night phone use. Whether we spend five minutes or 30 on our phones at night, refraining from this habit will allow us to get more sleep, and be less tired the next day.
