One simple productivity hack to get more done

Have you ever noticed how much you get done when you’re on an airplane?

I’m amazed by how much writing I can do, even on a two-hour flight.

This isn’t a coincidence. We’re forced to disconnect and put our phones in airplane mode while flying.

However, you can get the same productivity benefits without having to pack a bag, go through security, and board a plane.

Airplane mode is the simplest app on every phone. With one button, you can silence all notifications and turn off your cell signal. It’s an instant way to focus and disconnect from all of the messages you’re bombarded with.

In fact, it’s my number one productivity hack for minimizing distractions and getting more things done every day.

In this post, I’ll share seven of the benefits of turning on airplane mode for at least an hour a day.

It will make you smarter

Our brains aren’t wired for multitasking. We may think that we’re being productive when we repeatedly switch between our laptop and phone, but this is just rapid task switching. Studies show it’s much better to monotask — or work on one thing at a time.

It may lower your stress and anxiety levels

Have you ever been stressed out waiting for a response to a text message, an email from your boss, or even to see if your Instagram selfie gets enough likes?

We’re all guilty of this. This is why it’s important to set micro boundaries. Whether you turn off notifications for 30 minutes a day, a couple of hours, or one day a week, it will likely lower your stress levels. You’ll realize these messages will still be there when you get back.

Read more

By turning on airplane mode, you’re cutting off Wi-Fi and your cell signal. This means you’re essentially left with an unconnected tablet. The only apps that will work on your phone are things you’ve downloaded — such as books and podcasts — and other apps that work offline — like your notes app.

If you’re looking to read more, try turning on airplane mode for just 30 minutes a day. You might be surprised how fast you can get through books and how much you remember when you aren’t checking your phone every five minutes.

Write faster

This also works well if you’re looking to write more or need to finish a project before an upcoming deadline. Putting your phone in airplane mode may help you focus and avoid tempting distractions whenever writer’s block starts to kick in.

It will make you a better parent

When your head is always buried in your smartphone, you’re missing opportunities to bond with your kid. Children are sponges, and they’ll model whatever they see their parents do. So you’re essentially teaching your kid that it’s OK to choose the phone over people. At worst, your child may grow up thinking that your Instagram feed is more important to you than they are.

Sleep better

Did you know that 71 percent of people sleep with their phone next to their bed? That number goes up to almost 90 percent for people between the ages of 18 and 29.

Falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night to check your Instagram feed or email isn’t the healthiest habit. Consider turning on airplane mode before you go to bed or at the very least turning off all but essential notifications.

Improve your phone’s battery life

If the six benefits above aren’t convincing enough, here’s a practical reason to use airplane mode. It will help you conserve battery life as well as charge your phone faster.

We carry our smartphones everywhere, and as such are bombarded by messages, notifications, and alerts nonstop. Airplane mode forces you to disconnect from all of the chatter. It allows you to think more clearly and come back refreshed.