How Head Trauma Freed Me From Screen Addiction - A swift blow to the head was all it took for me to put my phone down.

CNET ^ | Laura Hautala

[BenLurkin]

I find myself somewhat grateful that I got a mild concussion in mid-January because it forced me to stop staring at my computer, TV and, most importantly, my phone for a solid week.

I smacked the back of my skull into the bottom of the cabinet door, sending a shockwave through the part of the brain that controls vision.

The resulting concussion, while mild, meant I couldn't look at bright lights or screens or even read without developing motion sickness and painful eye strain. It was boring and frustrating just looking around.

The result of this forced screen break was that I felt less stressed out, I went to bed on time and I fell into being present with my kids more readily.

Despite my frustration, there were some obvious upsides to limiting my screen time. The biggest one was having a lot more free time.

I went on walks, cooked simple meals and tidied. I also grew more comfortable with taking a breather between activities without diving into a phone-based distraction. That made transitioning into the next task much easier, because I didn't have to pull myself away from the phone.

So skip the swift blow to the head and hear what I learned. It's fine to avoid constant stimulation and distraction, even if mastering a language, reading a history book and solving a word puzzle sound like beneficial things. Doing them all in a frenetic round robin, cycling through stories and activities like you're looking for some unnamed wonderful thing in them but never finding it -- isn't good.

And reaching for your phone every time there's a quiet moment just erases all the quiet moments.

[EEGator]

It’s his birthday. Make sure to email him. :)

[ponygirl]

Few years ago, I tripped over a curb while reading Twitter on my phone, fell into a hole full of big rocks, nearly broke my hand and almost landed on my dog.

Unfortunately, it did not cure me of reading my phone. I just don't walk the dog while doing it anymore.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I think he was being a bit sarcastic and knows full well the story of Saul in Acts 9:1-31.

[AppyPappy]

My phone is mostly used for 2 factor authentication and playing podcasts in the car on trips

[moovova]

With 3 corrective eye surgeries, double vision, diminished depth perception, glasses with prisms/transition bifocals...and idiot drivers screaming thru our neighborhood...I don’t distract myself with electronic devices while walking the dog (not that I don’t want too). I’ve also learned to “roll out” of a fall, LOL. All they being said, they still let me drive!

Glad you weathered your fall OK. Stay safe!