How to Spend Less Time Online

Are you looking to spend less time online surfing websites, using social media, and hanging out in chat rooms?

Do you want some helpful tips to help you reduce your screen time at home and work?

While the internet is arguably one of the greatest inventions in history, it can also be one of the most distracting!

It’s a good idea to disconnect from the internet on a regular basis.

In this post, you’ll find offer several tips to help you spend less time online.

Start a new hobby.

Have you been meaning to start a new hobby this year?

Why not try surfing, knitting, crochet, baking, or calligraphy?

How about genealogy, walking, crafting, roller skating, or scrapbooking?

You could pick up journaling, painting, singing, watchmaking, or woodworking.

Or try stamp collecting, reading, pottery, birdwatching, or playing a musical instrument.

Whatever you do, just make sure it is screen-free. Maybe there’s an old hobby of yours you’d like to start-up again?

Disable your internet connection.

Whenever you sit down to do some work, switch off the internet connection.

You’ll be less tempted to open to open up a web browser and start surfing.

If you’re really tempted, make sure you completely log out of your social media and email accounts before disabling your internet connection.

Make sure you press the “Log Off” button. 

Spend time with your friends and family.

Isn’t it about time you spent some time with the people you love?

You could set up coffee breaks, lunch dates, dinners, playdates, walk dates, game nights, or outings to the park, museum, or concert hall.

For a real online-free experience, ask everyone to switch off their electronic devices, too, and simply enjoy one another’s company. 

Set up an offline device.

If you own a desktop, as well as other electronic devices, such as a tablet or laptop, consider setting up one of those devices to be wifi-free.

Not all applications or programs need to be connected to the internet.

You may find this setup to be particularly helpful if you need to spend your time focused on a task, such as writing, reading articles, or designing graphics. 

Conduct some on-site research.

Contrary to popular belief, everything isn’t online. There’s tons of information that hasn’t yet been digitized!

Just think of the information you may be missing that is only available in archives, books, photos, documents, or reports.

Try visiting your local library, a nearby research library, private bookstores or booksellers.

Make an appointment to visit the collections of a historical society or museum. 

Use a website blocker.

If you’re short on self-control, you may want to consider using a website blocker.

These apps allow you to block your favorite websites for specific periods of time so you can get work done, or just spend less time in front of the screen.

Do a quick online search for ‘website blocker’ apps to get started.

Take an in-person class or course.

As convenient as online courses and classes are, there is no substitute for learning a new skill in person.

You’ll learn a new skill and meet new people. What’s more, you’ll get immediate feedback from your instructor or teacher.

Sign up for a course at a nearby school, community center, or library. 

Turn off your electronic devices in the evening.

Spending too much time online after work or school?

Set a switch-off time and completely turn off your computer, cellphone or tablet.

No sleep or standby modes are allowed; you absolutely must turn off the device completely so that the motor is not running. 

How about you? Do you spend a lot of time on the internet? Which of these tips are you going to try out? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!

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About the Author

Rashelle

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant who helps successful entrepreneurs and business owners manage their time and energy so they can reduce stress, work less, and make more money in their businesses. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, and The Atlantic. Get her free guide, 5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook, by clicking here.

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