If like me you have a love hate relationship with your phone then this book might be for you! I need my phone for work, it is invaluable for letting me access all the technology and platforms that let me run my business on a day to day basis. I am also acutely aware that it is an intrusive, and (sometimes) negative influence on my day because I've got into bad habits.
I remember life before smart phones, and although they bring a lot to the table, they can also stretch us a bit thin as they make us potentially accessible 24 hours a day. To steal an old adage, running your own business is a marathon not a sprint and smart phones are designed to keep you in sprint mode. It is not sustainable and it isn't healthy!!
How to Break Up With Your Phone is split into two distinct sections. The first section is called The Wake Up and talks about the science behind smart phones. How phones are designed to be addictive, are leading to physical adaptions in our brains and an increase in stress and sleep issues. And that is just the tip of the iceberg! The second half of the book, The Break Up, contains ideas on how to manage use of your phone in a healthier manner.
Did you know the average Brit spends more than 2 hours a day their phones? This equates to 14 hours a week or 30 days a year! When you get into the 16-19 year old bracket, these statistics shoot up at a frightening rate with them often checking their phones up to 90 times a day!
For anyone worrying that the book tells you to throw your phone into the nearest lake, don't panic, it doesn't. It actually offers a really sensible approach to reducing the amount of time spent on your phone through simple activities like rearranging your home screen, filing addictive apps and using the phone's settings to your advantage (not the technology developers). For example, I didn't know that you can set up an out of office style text response for those times when you're covered in clay but worry that if you don't answer immediately that friend/customer/family member will be disappointed at your lack of communication.
The book does recommend a short phone free period, but the included plan leads you to this slowly and gently. I have to say I was reluctant to turn the phone back on at the end of it!
All in all I found this a brilliant, easy read. Funny in places, scary but honest in others, and clear, concise advice with some brilliant tips and resources. If anywhere at the back of your mind you have doubts or questions about your phone use I would say give this a go. I have found it really useful and have enjoyed implementing the ideas. Best of all I'm regaining hours that have previously been lost mindlessly scrolling and that has had a positive influence on all other areas of my life, including my sleep quality!
If you are local to Hebden Bridge you can order this and many more fabulous books through shop@bookcase.co.uk