Is Your Screen Stealing Your Life?
A typical day for me starts with a quick glance at my phone—usually within five minutes of waking up. I’m scanning for sports scores and current events, often before I even get my coffee brewing.
Once I’m in my office, I open both my iPad and laptop with good intentions: write, get things done, maybe listen to something inspirational or educational on YouTube. BUT somewhere along the way… I get distracted.
What starts as background motivation becomes a rabbit hole of headlines, highlights, and heated debates—none of which were on my to-do list.
Did you catch it? There it was—the big BUT. “I planned to be productive… but…”
I love my tech. I love my gadgets. They help me work, stay informed, and connect. So… what’s the problem?
It hit me after reading "What Happened When I Ditched Technology for 7 Days" by Cecilia Meis in Success Magazine. One line stopped me cold:
“Is it a possibility that I am missing out on the important things in life?”
Here are 2 more noteworthy statements from Celilla in this article:
"The weeklong hiatus from technology served as a reminder of the important things in life."
"I learned that technology swallows a huge portion of time that I used to spend doing things I love, such as reading and doing puzzles.
Meis also said something else that stuck:
“The inevitable effect of disconnecting from the digital sphere is being alone with my thoughts.”
Alone with my thoughts? That feels foreign. I’ve usually got something playing—podcast, YouTube, sports talk. It’s how I keep up. But if I’m always feeding my brain something external, am I ever truly processing my own life?
How can I miss anything if I am consuming 2 things at one time?
Turns out, science has an answer. Research from the CREd Library explains:
“It’s hard to understand two things at once. When you focus and concentrate, your brain suppresses one thing to focus on another. It’s a competition.”
So yes, our brains can toggle. But the reality is: multitasking reduces quality. Especially when what you're missing is a meaningful conversation, deep reflection, or even just a moment of quiet clarity.
The Real Impact of Excessive Screen Time
In an article from Stanford Lifestyle Medicine titled “What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain,” several key findings stood out:
Thinning of the cerebral cortex, the brain region tied to memory and decision-making
Increased risk of dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s for those watching 5+ hours of TV a day
Disrupted sleep cycles from screen-induced melatonin suppression
Reduced gray matter volume, which affects memory, emotion, and movement
We don’t always notice it happening—but over time, our screens may be reshaping not just our habits, but our health.
And it’s not just medical journals. Consider this:
Adults now average 11–19 hours of screen time per day.
30% of us say we’re online “almost constantly.”
(Sources: Reid Health, Pew Research)
I’ve become increasingly aware of the health and mental challenges that can come from too much screen time.
My Response: 5 Steps to Moderate My Screen Time
I’m not trying to abandon tech. I’m just trying to use it more wisely. Here’s what I’m doing to create a better balance:
Establish a Baseline
I’m tracking my daily usage with the built-in Screen Time tools on my iPhone and iPad.
Break It Down by Time
I want to see when I’m most likely to be glued to a screen—early morning, midday, late night.
Break It Down by Content
Not all screen time is equal. I’m categorizing what I consume—emails, sports, news, social, YouTube, etc.
Separate Work from Leisure
Work-related screen time is necessary. I’m focusing my reduction efforts on leisure distractions.
Cut the Heavy Hitters in Half
Starting with the biggest time sink—social media—I’m committing to cutting my top category by at least 50%.
As is often the case with us humans, moderation doesn’t come naturally. I’ll admit—I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person. I tend to go full throttle or not at all, and I’ve had to learn (usually the hard way) the cost of unchecked obsessions. Screens and technology, as helpful as they can be, have the potential to become a subtle but powerful addiction. And like any addiction, it’s not healthy. It’s not harmless. It needs to be acknowledged—and addressed—by each of us, personally and intentionally.
Until next time - Expect to Win!
#xp2win
#ChasingBetter
📚 Sources:
Success Magazine: What Happened When I Ditched Technology for 7 Days – Cecilia Meis
Stanford Lifestyle Medicine: What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain
CREd Library: [When the Ears Interact with the Brain]
Reid Health: [How Much Screen Time is Too Much for Adults?]
Pew Research: [U.S. Adults and Online Use Statistics]
