Ask Yourself This 1 Question If You Want to Use Your Phone Less, Therapist Says
Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano suggests that identifying specific triggers for phone usage is the first step toward reducing screen time. She notes that smartphones are intentionally designed to be addictive, making mindful awareness essential for regaining focus.
Why it matters
Addressing digital addiction is increasingly relevant as screen time is linked to negative mental health outcomes and reduced productivity.
Committing to using your phone less can be a daunting task. That’s at least in part due to the dopamine release triggered by seeing something new on your device — whether it’s a text from a loved one, funny TikTok or a work Slack, says Niro Feliciano, psychotherapist and TODAY contributor. Still, it seems more and more people are endeavoring to cut down their screen time, with the hope that it will make them more productive and focused, and less stressed. Your relationship to your phone is a central component of Start TODAY’s 30-day plan to build back your attention span, since many people always keep it just a few feet away from them, where it’s prime for distraction. To finally take the leap to use your phone less, there’s only one place to start, Feliciano says.
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