How do you want to spend your time? Where do you want to focus your attention?

Science journalist and author Catherine Price poses these questions because she believes that, ultimately, our lives are what we pay attention to. If you add up all the time spent on devices, these days the average person is spending upwards of 60 days a year on their smartphone.

Price is the author of “How to Break Up with Your Phone,” a guide to creating screen-life balance. Her ongoing research has revealed just how intertwined our brains and our devices have become. Technology impacts our impacts our health and well-being, from our attention spans to our sleep and our relationships. Tune in for ideas on how to set boundaries with our devices to regain real time and space.

Have questions for Dr. Murthy or ideas for future episodes? Email us at HouseCalls@hhs.gov.

(03:08)    Really, how much time do we spend on our phones?
(04:03)    How do our phones affect our brains?
(06:12)    Can we pay attention anymore?
(09:33)    Does anyone really get enough sleep?
(12:28)    Are our phones just part of life now?
(04:50)    How are apps on your phone like food in your fridge?
(16:29)    What is the “attention economy?”
(21:18)    Why was Catherine Price inspired to investigate tech?
(27:57)    How we know when it’s time to break up with our phone.
(36:34)    Are we afraid to be bored?
(39:16)    Experiencing The Digital Sabbath.
(45:15)    What about work and emergencies? How can I break up?

Catherine Price, Science Journalist and Author

Twitter: @Catherine_Price

Instagram: @_catherineprice

About Catherine Price

Dubbed “The Marie Kondo of Brains” by The New York Times, Catherine Price is an award-winning science journalist and speaker and the author of books including The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again, and How to Break Up with Your Phone. She is also the creator and founder of ScreenLifeBalance.com, which is dedicated to helping people learn how to scroll less and live more. Catherine’s work has appeared in publications including The Best American Science Writing, The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post Magazine, Slate, Men's Journal, Self, and Outside, among others.