The apps in the list below will help you stay off the smartphone. It will only silence notifications but doesn’t actually prevent you from opening apps. The Problem with Do Not Disturb (DND) ModeĪndroid and iOS both come with a built-in Do Not Disturb mode but it’s not practical. Now, the best way to break a habit is to break the cue, in this case, make it difficult for us to check the phone by using apps that temporarily block other apps on your iPhone and Android. It gives us a feeling of joy and contentment and your boredom is gone but temporarily. These are the happy chemicals that your brain releases to reward itself for doing a good job. The reward is dopamine and serotonin, every time. Reward: It’s the final nail in the coffin that makes a habit hard to quit.

For example, I always check for important emails first, then I move to Instagram and browse a couple of things there and then move to Whatsapp maybe for a quick text.ģ. Routine: Now, that you’ve your smartphone in the hands, it’s just your old routine of checking apps in order. The smartphone, in this case, is in your proximity and you just grab it for one quick look.Ģ.

When you’re bored or trying to do something important but can’t focus, your mind drifts to a place that is more rewarding. According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, any habit can be broken down into three parts – Cue, Routine, and Reward.ġ.

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