The Surprising Habit Stealing 20 Years of Your Life & Sabotaging Your Health

This past weekend, I was really taking it easy. I came down with a nasty sinus infection and was still recovering. You know how when you’re sick for a long period and then you finally feel better, you want to do everything? Yeah, that’s where I was. But I knew I still had to rest so that I could get back to Tina Stinson Wellness this week. I’ve been off for two weeks because the week before I got sick, I pulled all the garlic, cleaned it, and hung it to cure. That’s A LOT of work. Then I got sick for a week, and here I am.

Another reason I knew I needed to rest and be by myself? I lost my voice. Still losing it, honestly. And last week I realized I can’t do anything without my voice. So, I hung out solo and didn’t talk too much.

I’m not going to lie, I got a little antsy. I’m not used to sitting still for so long. This is something I’m actively working on when it comes to self-care. Sometimes, when I do nothing and just allow myself to be, I feel guilty. Can anyone relate?

I’ve spent so much of my life working so hard, taking care of everyone else, that it’s hard for me to just be. I’m working on it, but it’s a struggle. I’ll be sitting there, and my mind will race. It says things like:

• You could be reading…

• Or doing some coursework…

• Or writing a meditation…

• Or doing your nails…

• Or…

Then I remind myself: Some people just sit there and rest. I know I’m wrong when I say “no one just sits”, because I actually know people who do this easily. So, yeah… resting is a work in progress. And this weekend, I did a pretty good job.

While I was doing my version of nothing, I listened to the Mel Robbins podcast. One of my favorites. She’s also the reason I own way too many books. Mel interviews authors all the time, and before the episode even ends, I’m buying their book. Every time.

This latest episode really hooked me. She went back through transcripts of all her episodes and looked at what the top health experts she interviewed had said about health habits. The goal was to find the top 3 things we can do that would have the biggest impact on our health.

I was in. I’m always looking for better ways to take care of myself.

So, if you’re intrigued, you can listen to the episode HERE.

Today I want to talk about just one of the three things she shared, because it shocked me:
Stay off your screens. Stop the scroll.

Can you believe this made the top three?

If you’re curious, definitely go listen to the full episode to hear the other two. They’re all simple, but not always easy.

This screen-time thing though, it floored me. She said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“No one is going to get to the end of their life and say, ‘I wish I scrolled more.’”

I said, yes, valid!

Then she said something even more shocking: The average person will waste 20 years of their life on their phone scrolling.

Wait, WHAT?

That did me in. I mean, I know not everyone is like me, but I know the majority of us are. I’m addicted to the scroll. I’ll admit it.

I don’t do it when I’m with people, I’m never rude like that, but at night, after dinner? Oof. It’s bad.

This was a serious wake-up call.
I consider myself a self-care expert. This is my zone. My groove. And here I am doing something that’s so bad for my physical, mental, and brain health.

So, starting immediately, I stopped.
I know it won’t be easy. I'm addicted, after all. But that 20-year stat hit me hard. Who wants to waste their life scrolling?

Not to mention, most of us are constantly saying:

“I just don’t have time.”

Well, there you go. Twenty years returned to you. POOF!

So, last night, no scroll for me.

I made a list of all the things I can do instead. I decided that if I’m really tapped out, I’ll watch TV as a last resort, but I’m going to try to avoid that too.

So, it begins.

I’m not doing this for a set number of days.
I’m doing this for life. A lifestyle change.

I can’t wait to see and feel the difference.

What Happens When You Give Up the Scroll?

Here’s what science says about reducing screen time, and why it’s so worth it:

Brain & Cognitive Health

• Long-term screen use fragments attention span, weakens impulse control, and reduces executive function like planning and decision-making.

• In kids and teens, heavy screen use (7+ hours/day) doubles the risk of anxiety and depression.

• Reducing screen time to under 2 hours/day improves mood, sleep, stress, and focus, in just 3 weeks. 

 Mental & Emotional Health

• Less screen time reduces cortisol, eases anxiety, and lifts depressive symptoms.

• Strengthens real-life connection, emotional intelligence, and empathy. 

Physical & Sleep Benefits

• Cutting screens before bed helps melatonin production and improves REM sleep, memory, and emotional regulation. 

• Less sedentary time lowers the risk of obesity, heart disease, and tech neck. 

Why It Matters

• More Focus, Less Reactivity: Screens hijack dopamine loops and scatter your attention. Reducing it restores clarity and presence.

• Cognitive Reboot: Without overstimulation, the brain rebuilds deep thinking pathways and better emotional regulation.

• Real Rest: Sleep improves. Brain repair happens. You actually heal.

My Plan (Maybe Yours Too?)

I’m taking this even further. I won’t be off Instagram completely; I use it for business and keeping in touch with my kids but I’ll be limiting it to just that. I’ll set a timer. Strictly business. No mindless scroll.

Reducing screen time isn’t just about untethering from your phone.
It’s about rewiring your brain.
It’s about creating space.
It’s about real connection, focus, and energy.

If you’ve been craving clarity and deep presence, this might be your most powerful reset yet.

This will be an interesting experiment. I’ll be sharing more about it over in my Patreon community, Soul Aligned Life. If you want the full behind-the-scenes experience, head over here:
👉 patreon.com/Tinastinson

This is Self-Care Central. If you know you need more self-care in your life, this is the place to start.

I hope that the “20 years” statistic inspires you like it inspired me.
Let’s get our time, peace, and presence back.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want better sleep?

Until next week,
xo, T