Gen Z and millennials still remember a world before smartphones, and many of them (along with their older siblings, parents, and grandparents) long for the peace and quiet associated with a “dumber” world. For some people, total abstinence is an ideal answer. For others, there is a happy medium: reducing distraction without eliminating it. Returning to calmer times, many are turning to minimalist phones that offer just enough connectivity to feel like you’re in touch without the smartphone chaos facilitated by accessing online content.
It turns out that simply reducing the hours of smartphone use can make a real difference to mental well-being (more specifically, “digital well-being”). For example, a recent study by an Austrian research group reveals that time away from the smartphone screen can have a positive impact on symptoms of depression and stress while increasing overall well-being.
On the other hand, for some people, the stress of being disconnected can be its own source of anxiety. Lack of access to now-fundamental tools like calendars, online wallets, mapping apps, and children’s texts can also be problematic for those of us who now rely on our smartphones to stay in touch, manage our daily lives, and find our way home.
The Stupid Phone You Need
If you choose to ditch smartphones altogether, you have a choice. You can jump in in one fell swoop and completely eliminate the risks associated with smartphones and get yourself a good old-fashioned landline. Think about the freedom that could bring, especially when you’re away from home and just aren’t available to hear the latest gossip. On the other hand, of course, you would be completely cut off from your friends and loved ones if they need you, which could add more stress than it relieves.
Another option is a vintage flip phone, and Gen Z and millennials seem to be flocking to it (at least according to TikTok). You can receive and make calls if you want, but it’s a real hassle to send or receive text messages. It’s great to reduce overstimulation and increase focus, but it leaves you without key tools to complete daily tasks.
Finally, if you want to get the main benefits of a smartphone without all the distractions, you can buy a minimalist phone created exactly for this purpose. One of them is the minimalist Grow Electronics phone, without a browser. This is a phone that provides critical apps like Google Maps, SMS, Uber, and Google Photos, but removes the temptation of social media apps and browsers.
