Dr. Alok Kanojia, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, shares eye-opening insights on time management and technology addiction. Topics include fatigue from phone usage, attention span impact, identifying tech problems, and scripts for discussing concerns. Learn practical strategies to balance technology for better mental health and reclaim control over your time.
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Quick takeaways
Minimize phone usage by delaying access through removing shortcuts and keeping it in another room.
Maintain work-life boundaries by using separate devices for work and leisure activities.
Start the day without technology for an intentional and focused morning routine.
Deep dives
Reduce Impulsive Access to Technology
To take control of your phone usage, Dr. K suggests removing face ID and biometrics, making it difficult to access your phone instantly. He advises keeping your phone in a separate room at home, reducing access to addictive apps on your home screen, and removing app shortcuts for easy access. The goal is to increase the time between the impulse to use your phone and actually accessing it.
Work Minimally on Your Phone
Dr. K recommends minimizing work on your phone and avoiding switching between work tasks and leisure activities on the same device. He advises keeping work for dedicated work devices and keeping social media apps off your work phone. This separation helps maintain the boundary between work and leisure activities, reducing impulsive social media use.
Morning Routine sans Technology
Dr. K emphasizes starting your day without technology for at least the first hour after waking up. This practice involves keeping your phone at a distance, avoiding checking emails or social media apps, and focusing on personal tasks and activities in the early morning. The aim is to delay access to technology and allow for a more intentional start to the day.
Set Boundaries for Technology Use
Establishing clear boundaries for technology usage, such as limiting social media apps and setting specific times for work-related phone use, can help regain control over technology habits. By creating separation between work devices, limiting impulsive access to apps, and incorporating mindful practices like meditation in the morning, individuals can cultivate healthier relationships with technology and enhance focus on meaningful tasks.
The War on Technology and the Impact on the Brain
Dr. K highlights the invasive nature of technology on our brains, emphasizing it activates various brain aspects and intertwines with daily life. He stresses the importance of controlling technology access to regain autonomy and resist instant relief it offers. By tolerating boredom and resisting technology's distractions, one can reclaim lost time and connect internally to develop genuine motivations.
Addressing Technology Addiction and Initiating Conversations
Dr. K discusses recognizing technology addiction through its impacts on various life aspects and the significance of trusting instincts to address the issue. He offers strategies for initiating conversations about technology overuse, focusing on acknowledging concerns, listening reflectively, and respecting boundaries, emphasizing the need for human connections over external influences.
In today’s episode, you’re going to learn how to take back control of your time.
New research shows that you’ll spend 20 years of your life on your screens.
It’s time to stop wasting your time – and your life – and learn how to use technology in a way that works for you, your brain, and your body.
Here to deliver the wake up call of a lifetime is Dr. Alok Kanojia, MD.
Dr. Kanojia, also known as Dr. K, is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in modern mental health and the impact of technology on the brain. He is beloved by the millions of fans of his YouTube channel Healthy Gamer for his clear, no-nonsense advice about motivation, technology, and making the most of your life.
You will be shocked by what Dr. K shares with you about:
- Why you feel tired all the time.
- The impact that looking at your phone in your has on your attention span.
- Why you don’t want to do anything after binging hours of social media.
- How to know if you truly have a problem with your technology.
- The exact scripts to talk to someone whose phone, social media, or game use is concerning you.
This episode is a resource that you are absolutely going to want to share with everyone that you know.
For more resources, including links to Dr. Alok Kanojia’s research, website, and social media, click here for the podcast episode page.