8 Little Changes You Need for a Happier Daily Routine
Your daily routine can make you feel trapped and exhausted—or help you become the person you want to be.
By Arianna Davis, Lindsay Funston and Leslie Garrett
Conquer Your Tech Addiction
Are you addled by an uncontrollable urge to refresh your in-box at all hours? Powerless to stop perusing strangers' Instagram feeds late into the night? Kathleen Hall, founder of the Stress Institute, can help you go happily off-line—at least during your off-hours:
Morning
Don't even glance at your in-box for at least an hour after you wake up. "This can be a great time to access the more creative part of your brain," says Hall. "The second you check e-mail, you shift into a more organizing, critical- thinking mode."
Anytime
Unplug for ten to 30 minutes per day. "I don't care if you go outside and lie in the grass or just stare at a bug on the ceiling. What's important is that you tune in to yourself without distractions. As your brain reenergizes, your productivity should increase."
Evening
Keep mealtime device-free. "Technology can fracture families by allowing each person to retreat into a cocoon," says Hall. And don't even think about bringing your phone into the bedroom: "Out of sight, out of mind."
From the September 2014 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine