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No-Stress Notifications

notifications

Some days, technology feels like an added stress. If clearing out notifications is a trigger for you, check out these tips to manage that sense of urgency.

Turn off notifications

The best way to stay on task is to turn off notifications. If you have a schedule and stick to it, you don’t need to know every time a new email comes in or someone likes your photo.

If sticking to a schedule seems daunting at first, limit yourself to checking email and social media to every 15 minutes. Once that becomes easy, move it back to every 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and eventually to every hour.

Another healthy habit to get into is keeping devices away from your bed. Many of us are spending more time at home, and healthy boundaries are more important to keep than ever. Bedrooms are for sleeping, living rooms are for living, and the office is for working. Sticking to these rules and your life will improve in more ways than one.

Declutter

Sometimes apps that take us away from the task at hand. Clean out your apps periodically. Delete apps you don’t use anymore, but also consider deleting apps that are available online (Facebook, Pinterest, etc).

One great way to limit how often you pick up your phone is to invest in a smart speaker. This way you can set a timer, listen to podcast, or stream music without getting pulled into a phone blackhole.

Inspiration for this post came from “Digital Decluttering” by Beth Montpas published in the October 2020 issue of American Quilt Retailer.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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Manage your phone habits

Manage your phone habits

Our cell phones have become a central part of our lives. They’re the first things we check in the morning, we never leave the house without them, and we can’t even sit on the toilet without scrolling through a timeline.

Even if using your phone less isn’t on your radar, check out these tips to see if 1) it should be and 2) how to get some time back in your day.

Turn off notifications

Do you pick up your phone every time you see you have a new notification? Not only is this incredibly disrupting to the task you’re working on at hand, but constantly checking social media can contribute to feeling like you’re always missing out (in other words, FOMO). You’d be surprised how turning off notifications can help you check social media less. After all, out of sight means out of mind.

Limit phone time

Most phones have a system setting that shows how much time you’re spending on your phone and on what apps. This setting will send you a notification every week so you can track your progress. It can even show you how often you pick up your phone, and for what notifications!

Another way to limit phone time is by switching your display settings. Studies have shown that changing your display from color to black and white really does take the enjoyment out of scrolling, which means less time spent mindlessly scrolling.

Time equals money

What would you do if you had an extra hour in your day? As it turns out, you don’t need magic to make this happen—with some determination (and lifestyle changes) you can add more meaningful time in your life.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.