Don’t Double Up on Devices

Quick Win

Using one device at a time can help cut out distractions and keep you from feeling forever frazzled.

Try This Today

• If you’re constantly scrolling through Instagram on your smartphone while watching your favorite TV series, chances are you’re not following the storyline. The fix? When you turn on your show, turn off your phone and iPad, or place them out of reach. For accountability, schedule a post-viewing chat with a friend who shares your love of the series so you’re forced to pay attention to the plot.
• When working at a computer, put your smartphone in a closed drawer. Bonus points: Turn off email notifications on your computer and set a reminder to check your inbox every hour or two instead. That way you can focus your energy on work without missing any important messages.

Why

While acknowledging that more research needs to be done, the authors of a 2018 review of research published in PNAS concluded that “heavier media multitaskers are more likely to suffer lapses of attention (among other attention-related differences).”