How to stop staring at my laptop screen?

[pinkblondi]

Hi, I just have one wish, to unplug from the web and come back into the real life! Where is my blue pill?
I'm a 21 years old massagist from NY, and when I come back after work, tiered from standing all day long, I just turn on my laptop, and suddenly, it's 2 am. How do you manage to keep your offline life, when you have a pc at home?
My obssesion is icq, blogs, myspace and any web place where you can meet interesting people. Forums are new to me, but I thought to give it a try.

ps: I'm a total newbee at forums, so I'm sorry if posted in the wrong place, just got here and saw this one.. Please be kind to show me the right place where you can just talk with people.

[egray]

I have the same problem. I sit in front of my computer all day and most evenings too...

I've started taking more exercise and going for walks... and setting an absolute bedtime of 2am...

sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...

[starshard0]

I no longer have internet in my room, so I have to walk to use the wi-fi at a nearby building. It keeps me from being on the internet too much, and without the internet there's no incentive for me to be on my computer except to play games, which I don't do as often as I used to.

[hermione]

I have the same problem, but instead of MySpace and chatting, I'm addicted to working on my blog or other websites and often stay up all night working on them, which is extremely unhealthy, but I think you already have the solution right there in your opening statement:

Originally Posted by pinkblondi

Hi, I just have one wish, to unplug from the web and come back into the real life!

If you really want to decrease your computer/internet time, unplug your computer or just don't turn it on until you actually need it for something. And turn it off as soon as you finish checking your email or taking care of any business have and find some other way to occupy yourself.

Maybe instead of trying to meet people online, how about learning to enjoy time to yourself? Take up a new hobby, read, take a bath to unwind, etc.

One of my favorite ways to unwind is reading in bed. Try going to bed early with a good book. When I have a good book to read, I often can't wait to get everything done so I can go to bed and read. It's a much healthier hobby - physically and mentally - than surfing the internet.

[starshard0]

Reading is certainly a good option. Get a few books from the library and instead of hopping on the computer when you're bored, crack open a book.

[Finandom]

Originally Posted by starshard0

Reading is certainly a good option. Get a few books from the library and instead of hopping on the computer when you're bored, crack open a book.

I agree with starshard. You must find something to replace your old habits of staring in front of the laptop. It can be exercise, reading a book or even dating with someone.

Sorry I can't help you too much here because I'm having the same problem.

[amyschiff]

I find that after work, getting a little exercise, and making dinner, I really am barely in the mood to be on the computer. I check email and twitter and facebook and then usually just spend the rest of my evening with my fiance, often watching tv.

[trustno1]

The structure of the internet creates a natural "black hole" that few of us can resist. It becomes the ultimate test of self-discipline and self-control. Those of us that are single (live alone) are particularly vulnerable because we do not have the luxury of having a nagging partner or house mate to make us feel guilty for the excessive time we devote to inactivity.

I am cautious about using the word "addiction". That label instills a crisis mode outlook to what is many times just a non-productive "routine" we have allowed ourselves to fall into.

Try an experiment. Turn off your computer for a couple days and use that time doing something else that requires mental and physical focus (in other words, NOT watching tv). Something as simple as cleaning house or taking a walk. See if you just "miss it" a bit, because it is a routine...or you simply cannot live without it.

If you are concerned with your results...you can start with the menu choices on sites like this one...

http://www.netaddiction.com/articles/habitforming.htm

GoodLuck

[mamanhaziz]

Yeah. I know this issue as well

[dvdreplication]

I don't know what the problem is. I can't say anything. I feel sorry for that.