Are You Addicted to Screens?
Addicted to your phone—or to screens in general? Other people, sure… but not me! And yet, on average, we check our smartphones more than 200 times a day. That’s right! This little device has become our faithful companion from morning to night—and often even during the night. So much so that nomophobia is creeping into our lives. Wondering what that is? Well, it’s the intense fear of being separated from your cell phone…
While we’re not all nomophobes just yet (thankfully!), it’s true that we’re a bit addicted to screens—we have to admit it. A true technological Swiss Army knife, our phone has become our GPS, our DJ, our personal photographer, our alarm clock, and even our way to pay. An assistant that’s always ready to follow us around and never complains… And above all, our smartphone keeps us connected to the outside world and to our loved ones.
In short, we’re constantly staring at screens, but don’t worry—there’s nothing unusual about that; it’s just the way things are these days. However, guess what hasn't evolved as fast as our smartphones? Our brains! And no matter how hard they try to keep up, we certainly put them through a lot! With every notification, every article we read, and every post we like, there’s new information to process. Needless to say, it’s far from embracing Slow Living. So why not give it a little break every now and then? A little digital detox to curb our screen addiction—just to see what happens?
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Why Do a Digital Detox?
Neuroscientists warn us: excessive screen time can lead to stress, anxiety, and even sleep disorders. Our brain, like a secret garden, needs breaks to blossom again and moments of calm to nurture its creativity. And if, like one-third of French people, you use your cell phone during meals, maybe it’s time to reconnect with real life, don’t you think? (Le Monde, 2024).
Don't panic—it's never too late to take a step back, learn to let go, and rediscover the world around us. After all, there are so many wonderful things to experience beyond the screen—authentic moments to share, real-life experiences to savor, and human connections to nurture. Freeing ourselves a little from technology’s grip can’t hurt…
A full-on digital detox? No, that’s not necessary—you don’t need to go on a digital detox retreat to reconnect with reality! To cut back on screen time, all you need to do is change a few small habits. And to help you do that, we’ve put together 8 simple tips. You’ll see—you might even enjoy it!
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8 Tips to Reduce Your Screen Time
To take back control of your screen time,, the first thing to do is to become aware of how much time you spend on your phone. Luckily, your smartphone gives you that information! And if you decide it's too much, like 42% of the french population (Digital Barometer 2025), here are a few tips :
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Use the built-in tools on your smartphone to set limits: Screen Time on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android.
- Get rid of unnecessary notifications and put your most addictive apps in subfolders so you'll use them less often.
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Switch your screen to black and white to make it less appealing.
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Bring back the traditional alarm clock: a good old mechanical or electronic alarm clock will banish your smartphone from your bedroom. A peaceful night's sleep guaranteed!
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Turn off your phone at night and turn it back on when you're ready to start your day (You know where the "Off" button is, right? Yes, yes, it actually works!).
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Use silent mode when you're spending time with family or friends and enjoy the conversation to the fullest (Careful, though—the conversation might get a little deeper…).
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Don't take your cell phone with you when you go for a walk (yes, it's possible!) and take in your surroundings (Wait, is it fall already?).
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Rediscover the hobbies you used to enjoy at home before screens became so ubiquitous (cooking, reading, meditation, puzzles, board games, crafts, etc.).
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Ready to take on the challenge and try this little digital detox? Of course, you can do it! You might even be pleasantly surprised by how much time you get back. And to replace those digital distractions, check out our 11 ideas for screen-free activities!
If you're looking for inspiration to find new hobbies, at Jour Férié, we're full of ideas! Between our 13 craft ideas and our 6 stress-relieving activities to help to unwind , you’ll find plenty of ways to spend less time on screens and find a healthier balance.
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Sources:
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