Make It Easier on Yourself! · Resilience Academy

Make It Easier on Yourself!

One thing I've learnt over the years is that relying on willpower alone isn't always the best way to change a habit. Sometimes a little preparation makes all the difference.

If you're finding it hard to put your phone down before bed, here are a few things worth trying:

Set your phone limits in advance. Both iPhone and Android have settings that can restrict apps or schedule downtime. Set them to kick in an hour before your bedtime so you're not relying on remembering.
Have something else ready to do. If you plan to read, leave a book beside your bed. If you enjoy music, have something ready to listen to. Make the alternative easy.
Set a reminder. An alarm 10 minutes before your phone curfew gives you time to finish what you're doing and put it away.
Move your phone out of reach. Charge it across the room or somewhere outside the bedroom. It's much easier to resist checking it when it's not sitting beside you.
Get someone else involved. If you live with a partner or family, see if they'll join you. A little friendly accountability can help.
Keep it realistic. If you slip up one night, don't write off the whole challenge. Just have another go tomorrow.

And these ideas aren't just useful for our phone challenge. Whether you're trying to exercise more, get to bed earlier or change an old habit, making the behaviour easier to follow through on can be far more effective than simply telling yourself to try harder.

What little tricks or strategies have helped you stick with a new habit? Perhaps we can borrow a few ideas from each other!

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Make It Easier on Yourself!