In the hustle and bustle of the modern world, our screens are quickly overtaking our pets and other hobbies as our best friends. Our lives are tangled up in an endless stream of notifications and alerts that keep us constantly glued to our screens. While these technological advances were intended to take us all to a new frontier in life, they have all come at a cost: our personal time.

Many people fight for it remove it from their screens and spend time alone or with friends and family. Unfortunately, all this comes at the expense of their mental health. Have you found it difficult to strike a balance between your screen time and your “me” time? Then this discussion is for you.

Related: 4 ways to break your phone addiction so you can focus on what really matters

Effects of screen time on mental health

Spending time scrolling through social media or bingeing on your favorite show can feel exciting at the time. However, the thrill of constantly spending time on your screens affects your mental health.

Too much screen time can make your condition worse health and well-being. What is even worse is that the studies have linked spending more hours on screen with conditions such as anxiety and depression.

All of this suggests that finding a way to keep screen time in check can benefit your mental health. The secret lies in prioritizing your “me” time.

The importance of “me” time for mental health

As the name suggests, “me” time is generally any time you set aside from your regular schedule to spend alone and do whatever you find exciting. You can think of it as the time you need to recharge. It plays a vital role in your mental and physical health WELFARE. For example, she:

• It helps you find time to manage stress

• It gives you a chance to focus on the things that matter to you

• It allows you to reflect and strategize

• Reduces anxiety

• It helps you rest so you can be more productive when you return to work

How to find the right balance between screen time and “me” time.

Disconnecting from your devices can seem like a daunting task, especially in a world where almost everything happens online. However, you have to find a way to strike a balance between you screen time and your personal time. The ultimate goal is to improve your well-being.

So how can you strike the right balance between your screen time and your alone time? Finding a universal answer to such a question can be problematic.

However, the general rule is that you should never spend more time on the screen than away from it. This ensures that your body and mind are relaxed without feeling guilty. Let's discuss some strategies you can explore to maintain effective screen time management.

Related: How spending time alone has transformed my life

Strategies to use for effective screen time management

The best way to start managing your screen time effectively is to track your screen time. Monitoring your screen habits can help you understand what unhealthy practices you've become accustomed to and how you can fix them.

Once you have a clear figure of how much time you spend on your screens, the next step would be to set limits on your screen time. Most modern phones and computers come with apps to help you limit your screen time. You can use these features to set a limit on the time you spend on certain apps, thereby limiting your screen time.

Another great idea is to create a digital routine that focuses on reducing the time you spend on your screens. For example, you might have a personal rule of not using your phone and computer for at least an hour after you wake up and before you go to sleep. You can also choose to keep your devices in a room other than your bedroom. This minimizes the urge to pick up the phone on impulse the moment you wake up.

Finally, you can consider limit notifications on your devices. Have you ever noticed how quickly you can pick up your phone or laptop the moment you hear the notification sound? By limiting the number of notifications that appear on your phone, you can reduce the number of times you check screens each day.

Activities you can try during “me” time.

The aforementioned strategies are quite effective in managing your screen time. But they may not be enough if you want to achieve the best results for your mental health. You still need to integrate healthy habits during your “me” time. Some of the healthy habits you can explore include:

• Mindful relaxation techniques

• exercising

• Reflection and JOURNAL

• Self-care practices

You might also consider a new hobby that keeps you away from screens and helps you learn new things.

Related: Why every entrepreneur should spend less time looking at screens

In conclusion, spending too much screen time can negatively affect your mental well-being. Spending time alone through “me” time can help strike a balance between the time you need to spend on screens and the time you need to spend away from them. The strategies we've covered aren't exhaustive, but they're a great place to start.