Mobile Mindfulness: Balancing Media Consumption in Quarantine
From pandemic news alerts to mass banana bread baking, it seems like the online world has become more saturated with content amidst COVID-19. Screens have quickly become the window to the rest of humanity as we heed shelter in place orders. Though social media has been an influential uniting factor during this time, who’s to say that this amount of media exposure doesn’t come at a cost?
What Stay-at-Home looks like through our screens:
- According to the Global Web Index (GWI), 87% of American surveyors have reported increased consumption of media content since the outbreak of COVID-19.
- 67% of Internet users worldwide are tuning in to more news coverage as of March 2020.
The consensus here is widespread media use has increased- and it makes sense. Mandatory offline activities like commuting to work or sitting in class no longer fill the bulk of our days. With extra downtime and a lack of physical interaction, it is no wonder that more people have been online.
It’s okay to be on your phone
The need to stay in the know is a familiar feeling, especially amid a global pandemic when new information is continuously being distributed. While it isn’t necessary to meticulously track how many hours you spend online, it is essential to check in with yourself after scrolling through your social media feeds. If you find yourself feeling unsettled or overwhelmed, listen to your body’s cues to take a step away from the screen.
Disconnect to connect
- Turn on airplane mode: A quick and easy way to moderate media intake is by silencing notifications and incoming calls for a few hours in the day.
- Look at screen time: Sometimes, seeing statistics is a better motivator than estimating. When it comes to seeing just how much time is being spent on a device, it might be helpful to look at which apps are being used the most.
- Designate time to do offline activities: Set timers to complete tasks away from devices like 20 minutes to tidy up a room or cook a meal.
Apps to help monitor screen time
Flora: This fun and refreshing app encourages practicing healthy screen time while saving the environment. Flora allows you to grow virtual plants and collect coins for however long you are away from your device. Coins earned within the app can even be spent to plant real trees!
- Available on IOS and Google Play
- Cost: Free
Flipd: For college students who want to moderate their media consumption and increase productivity, Flipd is super helpful because it hides away specific apps at scheduled times. It even offers a Wellness Hub with resources like music playlists and guided meditation that users can utilize when their apps are hidden.
- Available on IOS & Google Play
- Cost: Free
Focus Keeper: Focus Keeper is the digital minimalist’s next best friend. It is useful for someone who not only wants to minimize screen time but also wants to maximize that time to finish tasks by setting designated times to stay focused in a sleek and simple way.
- Available on IOS & Google Play
- Cost: Free
Endel: This beautifully designed app uses soundscapes to take care of one’s mental space when so much is going on outside. Endel is divided into three modes: relax, sleep, and focus. The app curates soothing sounds to immerse users and help them stay present in whichever manner they choose to be in.
- Available on: IOS & Google Play
- Cost: Free
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Let’s Talk About Boundaries and Consent…
“While we are amidst a public health crisis and we see the entire world practicing social distancing as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this is an even more important time to discuss consent and boundaries.”
