TAKE BACK CONTROL PHONE-FASTING TIPS

Create a physical prompt: put a rubber band around your phone, or set a lockscreen image that means you have to make a conscious decision as to whether you really want to be picking up your phone right now.

Practise your Ws. Short for “What for, Why Now, What Else,” WWW is an exercise I came up with that’s designed to spark ideas for what else you could do in that moment besides check your device.

Disable notifications. If you’re worried about missing an important email, create a VIP list of contacts, and adjust your notification settings so that you’re alerted when an important message comes through.

Get a standalone alarm. If your phone is your alarm clock, you are guaranteeing that it will be the first thing you reach for when you wake up.

Use apps to protect yourself from apps. App-blockers such as Freedom (freedom.to) will allow you to limit your access to problematic apps and websites, making it easier to stick to your intentions.