It's an unfortunate fact of modern life: Screens will take over your life if you let them.
Even Mayo Clinic surgeons have learned how to dig out from under their devices. If they can do it, you can, too. Discover what works for the experts that you might add to your daily routine.
We asked Mayo Clinic experts: What good health advice do you struggle to follow yourself?
Edward Ahn, M.D., Pediatric Neurosurgery: I try to limit screen time, put my phone on the table during dinner. When conversation's supposed to happen, you're supposed to be connecting with people. Put it away.
Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinology: I never eat in front of any screen. Not in front of my office computer, not in front of the TV, and not with my phone on or my iPad on.
Amanda Holloway, Director of Sustainability: Especially with going back to school, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. That's where that outdoor time comes in really handy.
Dr. Kearns: You know if you eat in front of the TV, you eat more, you eat stuff you shouldn't eat. I think if you're eating with other people, you want to communicate with them, it's a time to bond.
Nolan Peterson, Wellness Coach, Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program: Try to get back into more. Let's read more than just watching TV. I like just hanging out with the kiddos, but can we be reading and doing something like that versus just zoning out watching TV?
Edward Laskowski, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: I try to have those — even during the workday — those breaks. I may be in the elevator, I'm not going to look at my phone. I'm just going to decompress and not look at anything and just be quiet for a while.
Nolan Peterson: I know my phone now does a great job of actually reminding me how much screen time I've actually had.
Dr. Laskowki: Try not to do too much screen time at night, as well as before bed. I love the tactile feel of a book, holding a book and reading pages instead of reading a screen.
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