We live in a time where cell phones are part and parcel of our lives. The technology has become so essential to our lives that without the cell phone we end up feeling handicapped. However, there are few of us who are so glued to our smartphones for everything and everything that it is there when a person sits, eats, walks and even sleeps. In fact, when one sits with the cell phone, they are just not aware of the person who sits next to them, let alone initiate a meaningful face-to-face conversation. Although smartphones are essential in many ways, we should not let it control our lives in an outright manner so much so that it interferes and even harms our daily activities of work as well as our relationships. Rather, one should look towards trying to control the addiction.

Let’s try to get rid of the addiction with these simple tips:

• When the notifications are switched off, we are less likely to have the tendency to check the messages. Start ignoring the notifications or keep limited notification (only the important messages). This way it will keep you away from the phone for a while.
• It is not about not using but limiting the usage. Strike out the habit of checking updates every 5-10 minutes and start to keep a fixed time. Keep the cell phone away from yourself during social gatherings and meals with the family. This will not only help you enjoy with your friends and family but also slowly start curing you of any growing addiction.
• Get rid of numerous social media apps/platforms and rather stick to only the absolutely essential apps that you need. There are many apps which are hardly used and simply consume the storage space of the mobile phone, apart from drawing undue and unnecessary attention from the user. In fact, there are also many apps that help limit usage of the smartphone. Apps such as Rescue Time and AppDetox can be configured according to the mobile phone usage of respective users.
• The most important way to get rid of mobile phone addiction is by switching it off or putting it on the flight mode before one goes to sleep. When you switch off from the rest of the world, it’s finally time to heal!

Cell phones are important, yes, but not so important that one forgets what is going on around them. Heed the above-mentioned tips and dance your way to get rid of cell phone addiction and lead a happier, healthier life.