Why Getting A Dumb Phone Could Improve Your Quality Of Life

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Do you remember life before smartphones? Life was simpler when we just had dumb phones that could only do phone calls and text messages. Was your life better back then? A growing number of people are starting to think so, and are even giving up their smartphones for dumb phones to help improve their lives.

How The iPhone Started Smartphone Addiction

The first iPhone came out in 2007. With a limited set of default apps, your email and the camera were the most exciting features of the iPhone. But a year later, in July 2008, the Apple App Store made its debut and changed everything. Apple customers downloaded 60 million apps in just the first few days. Google soon followed with the Android smartphones and Google Play Store, and the rest is history.

With an app for everything, it didn’t take long for us to become addicted to our phone screens. Now, we all suffer from smartphone addiction and can barely put our phones down. Statistically, most smartphone owners spend an average of 4+ hours a day on their phones every day. All of this extra screen time is crippling our ability to make human connections and contributing to a global mental health crisis.

Can A Dumb Phone Make You Happier?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant need to be connected? Thinking about ditching your smartphone? You aren’t alone. In 2022, dumb phone sales were up 5% in the US.

Living without a smartphone can be a liberating experience. It can help you break free from the constant distraction of notifications and social media, and reconnect with the real world. It can also take away some of the pressures from your job. Not checking your email outside of work hours, including weekends, can help reduce stress. It allows you to focus on what you are doing without feeling obligated to respond immediately to coworkers.

Here are some of the benefits of living without a smartphone:

• You’ll be more present. When you’re not constantly checking your phone, you’ll be more mindful of your surroundings and the people around you.
• You’ll be more productive. Without the temptation of social media and games, you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand.
• You’ll sleep better. The blue light emitted from smartphones can disrupt sleep, so ditching your phone can help you get a better night’s rest.
• You’ll save money. You won’t be spending money on data plans, games, or free apps that aren’t really free and just lock their best features until you pay for them.
• You’ll be less stressed. The constant stream of notifications can be stressful, so living without a smartphone can help you relax and de-stress.

If you’re thinking about ditching your smartphone for a dumb phone, here are a few tips:

• Start by gradually reducing your usage. Delete social media apps, news apps, and games. Then set limits on how much time you spend checking your phone.
• Switching your phone to grayscale is a clever hack to help reduce your screen time.
• Get a dumb phone. A dumb phone is a basic phone that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a smartphone. It can still be used for calling and texting, but it won’t be as distracting.
• Find other ways to stay connected. If you need to stay connected with friends and family, find other ways to do it, such as email, texting, or calling.

Living without a smartphone can be a challenge, but it can also be a rewarding experience. If you’re looking to simplify your life and reduce stress, ditching your smartphone for a dumb phone is a great place to start. I hope this helps!