Your phone has the potential to be one of the greatest tools in your life if you use it correctly, but so many people forget about this incredible functionality! If you feel like you’re not getting the most out of your smartphone, keep reading for 10 ideas on how to use your phone for good. You might be surprised by what you learn!
1) Get entertained
Mobile apps are a convenient way to escape from boredom. Find and download free games, puzzles and other apps that provide hours of fun. If you don’t feel like spending money on entertainment, simply play games found in your phone’s pre-installed app library. Try brain teasers, word searches or classic card games such as Solitaire or Spades.
2) Stay in touch with friends and family
The average cell phone user sends and receives an average of 85 text messages per day. That’s a lot of face-to-face time, which has been shown to lower stress levels and improve relationships. Studies have also linked texting with improved memory in senior citizens, so don’t be surprised if grandpa starts responding with paragraphs instead of one-word answers!
3) Research good causes
Using your phone, tablet or laptop doesn’t have to be a vice. Consider ways you can use your tech devices for charity, activism and other forms of social good. If you have trouble getting started, see if there are people in your community who are already doing what you would like to do with technology—mentioning them on social media may help draw attention and resources toward causes that need it. Here are a few ideas for action
4) Know more about health
It’s no secret that mobile apps can help make people healthier. Whether you’re trying to get in shape, looking up drug interactions or just want a handy reference guide on symptoms, there are thousands of useful health-related apps out there. These can help keep you informed, motivated and healthy on your journey.
5) Keep yourself busy when feeling alone
There’s nothing worse than feeling lonely. The benefits of technology come in when you have an escape from it all and there are many ways to do so. If you can, go outside and enjoy nature, walk through a park or use your local trails. If that isn’t an option try playing a game on your device or visit a friend or family member in person. Sometimes just talking with someone who is also feeling lonely can make you feel better; take turns venting to each other.
6) Learn new things
Did you know that in just a 20-minute phone call with a relative or friend, you’ll learn and retain more information than you would by reading an entire chapter in a book? And it doesn’t matter if they live across town or across an ocean—the brain learns through face-to-face interaction and dialogue.
7) Earn while you sleep
There’s a good chance you’re using your phone at night. While it may seem like a waste of time, that idle smartphone or tablet can be put to better use—earning money while you sleep. Earn extra cash by taking paid surveys or downloading apps from trusted sites, like Opinion Outpost, Swagbucks and AppTrailers (see Resources). These are easy ways to boost your income through technology.
8) Avoid bad things
People spend too much time on their phones. While you may already know that, what you might not realize is just how distracted and disassociated it can make us. The average American spends more than four hours per day staring at a screen. That’s 4 hours every day where we’re doing nothing but staring at a screen. It might be easy to avoid gambling addictions and other bad habits while using your phone, but are you really making good use of your time?
9) Stop being bored all the time
Boredom is a byproduct of feeling disconnected. Instead, turn off your phone (if you can!) and try one of these activities that don’t require any electronics whatsoever. You’ll find yourself having fun without even realizing it!
10) Track your progress
As you’re learning how to use your phone for good, it can be helpful to set a timer. Whether you set aside five minutes or an hour a day, tracking how much time you spend on your phone each day can be eye-opening. Most of us have no idea how much time we spend staring at our screens each day; breaking it down into 15-minute increments shows you where and when you tend to use your device.
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