‘How to Limit Screen Time?’ Is Not the Question We Should Be Asking

You wake up and look at your iPhone to turn off the alarm (screen time). You work out with your favorite app (screen time). You proceed with your morning routine, and then if you take a train to work, as I do, you’re likely checking your phone again or maybe even reading a book on your tablet (more screen time). You get to the office only to expose yourself to even more screen time (at least 6-10 hours, not counting meetings), followed by a commute home where you stream the latest show (screen time). It’s possible that after dinner, if you don’t happen to have fun plans out, you may indulge in additional screen time in the form of a TV set or if you have kids, their homework is on screens too, so maybe you have to stare at the screen with them to help them finish their assignment! You get my point. Screens are everywhere, and they are not going away.

Have you ever felt a bit guilty about all the time you spend looking at screens for various reasons (social media, work, entertainment, working out, reading)? You’re not alone. Just google “guilt from too much screen time,” and you’re going to come across countless bloggers who are talking about feeling guilty about being in front of screens all the time.

According to a new study by Nielsen, Americans spend more time than ever watching videos, browsing social media and swiping their lives away on their tablets and smartphones. To be exact, American adults spend more than 11 hours per day watching, reading, listening to or simply interacting with media. That’s up by 32 minutes from just four years ago. And my prediction is that this number will only continue to increase as we become even more reliant on technology and the internet for our livelihoods.

What type of remedies should be consider when it comes to protecting our eyes from the damaging blue light?

1. Eye Supplements

Take a daily supplement - Eye Armor is terrific! We discovered this gem when my husband started complaining about his eyes feeling tired after work. Eye Armor protects and strengthens against high-energy light using natural carotenoids – including a proven formulation of Lutein and Zeaxanthin-plus powerful antioxidants from Bilberry fruit.

2. Install Filters and Use Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Additionally, be sure to protect your eyes from the damaging blue light by installing blue light filtering screen cover for your phone and tablet. I use this one. Adjust your brightness setting and download F.lix app on your desktop. It will automatically adjust the light on your screen to match the natural sunlight. It’s free! Last, but not least, get a pair of blue light blocking glasses. Try True Dark.

 3. More Movement

Our bodies were designed to move. Screen time limits movement. So, now more than ever we need to be intentional with movement. Plan ahead! Planning time outside sounds crazy, but’s it’s not! It may even seem like a ton of work, but it’s not, and it could be a ton of fun. You can plan time with your family/kids or invite friends. Make it active! Go hiking. Discover a new organic farm or a cute nearby town. Meditate by a waterfall. Go snowboarding or take a walk in the forest. The key here is to plan; and maybe even starting a little tradition like visiting a local, organic apple orchard in the fall or getting your Christmas tree by venturing to a sustainable tree farm. Now, that’s fun!

So, does it make sense to ask ourselves how to limit screen time and feel guilty every time we can’t reach our desired screen time limitation goal? Perhaps we simply need to better adapt to our increasingly digital lifestyle? By making a conscious effort to protect your eyes with blue light blocking glasses, apps and screen protectors, as well as supplementing and spending time outside—you’re going to feel a lot less guilty about all that screen time!