Spend Less Time on Your Computer

[Rasputin]

This article will explain how you can stop spending time on the computer and get out and see the world, instead of being cramped up inside all the time. This however will take time and perhaps money.

Steps

Start slowly. You can't go from spending 6-8 hours on the computer to spending 1-2 hours a day.
Find something else to do. If you don't have a hobby or an activity you enjoy, try something new. A few ideas other than music and sports are: volunteering, drawing, creating collages, 4-wheeling, reading/writing, walking around town, hiking, photography, boating/seadoos, and paintball. Check the local paper for activities and events that you might be interested in.
Limit your time on the computer. If you have a hard time with it, get someone to put a password on your computer and have them type the password in for you when it is your allowed time on the computer .
Another option is to get rid of the Internet and use a local library or cap site for your Internet.
Instead of using Instant Messengers, just call.

Tips

Not spending a lot of time on the computer has many benefits, for example, it will improve your posture.



Warnings

Don't try to go cold turkey!! It has to be a gradual process.

---
Stop Spending Too Much Time Online

The internet can be a valuable resource for education and fun, but how much is too much? Why can't people stop? Here are some tips to help you quit staring at the computer screen and get out and do something productive.

Steps

Monitor the time you spend on the computer each day. Try setting an alarm for one or two hours and take a break.
Figure out what you spend the most time on (e-mail, games, music, IM, wikiHow, etc) and limit the time to a couple hours.
Find activities that take you away from the computer. Read a good book, go for a bike ride, play with the kids, dog, etc.
Quit reading this article, turn your computer off, and do something productive.


Tips

Avoid sites like addictinggames.com or myspace.com
Use the internet at a public library. They usually limit the time to a couple hours. (Plus it's free)

Buy software to help monitor and even constrain your online time. Parental control software can do this but you will need to make the administrator password inaccessible. It is recommended to have someone else set the password for you, so settings can be changed in the future.
Buy some video or computer games. That will ensure that you are not on the internet and you'll have fun with the computer too. Also, buy some computer software that is related to your hobbies but does not need a constant internet connection.

[Rasputin]

Stop Spending All Night on the Computer

Chat rooms, internet messaging, forums, and search engines...all of these can be time killers and the next thing you know it's 3:00 in the morning. Where did the time go? Hours can go by on the computer rather quickly. However, if you wish to cut back on the time you spend on the computer follow these steps to maintain balance between your online and offline time.

Steps

Determine in advance how much time you want to spend on the internet.
Set a timer if the time you will be on is shorter than an hour or so (most timers have a maximum of 1 1/2 to 2 hours). This works well if you have errands to run or chores to do around the house.
Set an alarm clock if you need to be off at a specific time. For example, if supper has to be made at 5:00 and it is 2:30, set the alarm.
Place a Post-it note on the computer as to what you promised yourself you would do when the alarm or timer goes off.
Let anyone you are speaking with that you have to be off at a certain time. This works better in chat rooms and IMs, but it can be effective in forums if there is a place for messages .

Tell everyone goodbye as soon as the alarm or timer goes off. No need for long farewells, a quick "gtg" (got to go) or "cya" (see you) will do just fine. This is not the time to wait around and see if anyone will respond to your goodbye message, just move on to the next step.
Shut down the computer as you ordinarily would. Even if you're only going to be off for fifteen minutes or so, a computer that has been turned off is less of a temptation than one that is left on.
Refer to your Post-it note and do what you promised yourself you would do.


Tips

If you're playing a game, use the Post-it technique to remind yourself to "Save and shut down" as soon as the alarm or timer goes off. This will cut back on the temptation to keep playing after you've found a save point.
Another technique you can use that is more effective if you're doing online research is to write up a list of what you wish to accomplish during a particular online session. Using this in conjunction with the timer/alarm and Post-it notes will sharpen your focus, and in turn assure you get more done in a single session than you would otherwise.

If all else fails, and you don't live alone, convince another member of the household to get on the computer. For example, parents can allow their kids an hour of computer time so household chores can be completed.



Things You'll Need

Alarm clock
Timer
Post-it notes