Smartphones and devices are powerful tools in our everyday lives. However, they are designed to be addictive and consume as much of our time as possible. In the modern world, your attention is the currency that pays social media companies.
To make your iPhone and other devices less distracting and addictive, here are my five best apps for reducing distractions:
1. Opal
Opal is the biggest screen time app in the world, and the first app I got to reduce distraction. It can also be used completely free.
Opal lets you choose what apps should be unavailable during a specific time of the day. For example, my Instagram, Youtube and Facebook are blocked from 9 Am to 7 PM.
Sometimes I open my phone and try to get on Instagram just by habit, but Opal helps keep me in check and realize I can do something else for now.
It helps you balance your time spent, because when 7PM is past, you are allowed to spend some time on social media if you want to. Just not during the day, when you could socialize and work. But it is up to you to set your own preferred times.
Opal Pros:
• Free to use
• Blocks apps for a certain time
• Encourages better time management
Opal cons:
• Has an unnecessary reward system
2. Freedom
Freedom is an all-in-one solution for controlling your digital distractions. It allows you to block distracting apps or websites at chosen times across all your devices.
This means if you block TikTok or Instagram on your computer, the same blocks apply to your phone while using Freedom. It works across Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Chrome and is used by major universities and companies.
Freedom requires a subscription, either monthly or a one-time purchase.
Freedom Pros:
• Blocks apps for chosen times
• Works across all devices simultaneously
Freedom cons:
• Monthly subscription fee
3. Hide Youtube Shorts
Many of us are Youtube mass consumers, and it has gotten more distracting over the last few years. With more short form content via Youtube Shorts, it has turned into a TikTok clone to steal all your attention and free time.
Well, you can stop that entirely. I wanted to get rid of Youtube shorts on my computer and found some Web extension apps that did just this!
Hide Youtube Shorts Pros:
• Free to use
• Make Youtube less distracting
Hide Youtube Shorts cons:
• Only works as a chrome extension
Download and use this extension on Google chrome to improve your Youtube experience.
4. LeechBlock
I prefer working on my computer, and this is where LeechBlock can come in handy. It allows you to block or set up specific windows where certain websites and domains can be accessed.
Just specify when, and what to block and LeechBlock will take care of it.
You can also set up a time limit (after 10 minutes of use, block for an hour).
LeechBlock Pros:
• Use for free
• Block specific websites during specific times
LeechBlock cons:
• Does not work on Safari
5. RescueTime
We have a hard time seeing where our time goes during the day. RescueTime is an app you can download on your computer or phone that will tell you how much of your time is spent with Work or Productivity, and distractions.
Getting a clear view of where your time is spent will give you a understanding on what you might want to change.
RescueTime will look at what you do and categorize it in different levels of work or distractions. Being on Youtube or TikTok will be noted as distractions, writing in a notes app or reading the news can be registered as work. It also has an assistant that can tell you of your schedule and alerts.
RescueTime will automatically guess what category something should be, but you can also tell it what is distraction and what is work for you.
RescueTime requires a subscription
RescueTime Pros:
• Tracks time in apps and sites
• Works in the background
RescueTime cons:
• Mobile app could be better
• Subscription fee
The 5 Best Apps to Reduce Distractions
These five apps can make your digital environment less distracting and more in your control. Putting limitations on when you can access certain apps and websites allows you to be conscious of your time, and also enjoy social media apps when it fits you.
With or without these apps, we should all try to use our digital devices as tools instead of letting them use us. Be mindful of where your time is being spent, it is our most valued currency that can never be replaced.
To end it all with a fitting quote
"Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back."
- Harvey Mackay
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