It happens in office hallways and beyond: people always seem to be looking down at their phones.
But this is no surprise, given recently-released data from Pew Research Center, which found that 77% of Americans go on the Internet every day, although 11% reported using it less frequently, and 11% report not using it “at all.”
We spend a lot of time on the Internet, but it’s possible to escape its grasp.
A quarter of Americans surf the web “almost constantly”
Breaking the numbers down further, Pew Research found that 26% of Americans are “almost constantly” on the web in 2018, compared to 21% in 2015.
Within this group of people who reported being tethered to the internet the most this year (26%), 13% are ages 18-29, 36% are ages 30-49, 17% are ages 50-64 and 8% are age 65 and older.
Those who have a yearly “household income” starting at $75,000, they are on it “almost constantly” the most, at 35%. But people in the $30,000-$49,999 income bracket are the second most popular group at 27%.
Overall, 43% of respondents say they use it “several times on a day” and 8% use it “about once a day.” Just 11% use it “less than daily,” with 6% going on “several times” weekly and 5% doing so “less often.”
It seems like no matter where you go, the web will only be a few clicks away. Here are a few things to do instead:
Read a book
Think about it: when was the last time you slowed down enough to actually crack open a really good read that once held your attention?
Have any old favorites lying around? Better yet, is there anyone you look up to who’s coming out with a great story? If so, you should consider picking it up as soon as it comes out and making a habit of reading things that make you smile, laugh, and expand your worldview.
Be productive and do some planning — with Microsoft Word
If you must use a screen, there are still ways to get work done.
Yohana Desta, a reporter and current Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com, previously wrote in Mashable about how to use your computer when you don’t have wifi.
One of her tips is to “go old school,” meaning to make productivity lists.
“Open up a Microsoft Word document and become the master of lists. Make to-do lists for the rest of your week, or a bucket list for the rest of your life. Writing out all the tasks you have yet to accomplish will remind you of all the stuff you really can do in this life without a Wi-Fi connection,” Desta writes.
Head outside for some exercise
Whether it’s at the gym or in your own backyard, getting some exercise is definitely better for your mind and body than wasting away online all day long.
Just like we need to take breaks from work, giving your eyes a rest and doing some physical activity instead is also crucial for your health.
Out of workout ideas? Take a page out of a billionaire’s book.