Focus: What are the benefits of concentration apps for smartphones?

In 2015, the Forest app was one of the first apps to try to draw people away from smartphones. Idea: You plant virtual trees. This is done by not using your mobile phone. To do this, you first set a period of time in the application (for example, an hour) during which you do not want to use the mobile phone. During this time, virtual trees grow and reach full bloom if you stick to the set time. If you buy your smartphone in advance, the trees die and remain visible on the app as stunted, dead trunks; This reminds you of your own failure.

The expert thinks so: «A fun approach like forest practice is promising. The reward you receive when you do not use your smartphone for a long time motivates us and leads to the release of dopamine. “This has great motivational potential.”

Cost: 4 Fr. on App Store (Apple), free on Play Store (Android).

Take a deep breath before opening the Facebook or TikTok app. Stop and think about whether you really need the content on social media right now. This is the basic idea of ​​the “One sec” application. It allows you to identify applications whose use should be restricted. Every time users open the relevant app, the smartphone vibrates, forcing them to stop and take a deep breath. Attempts to access the application in the last 24 hours are shown on the screen. Depending on the setting, you can decide whether you want to open the app or close it again after two, three, six or twelve seconds. Purpose: Develop awareness of your own (excessive) smartphone use and thus reduce screen time.

The expert thinks so: “Instead of automatically opening frequently used applications, it makes sense to stop for a while and use applications more consciously. Taking a breath before deciding to open the app is a tried and tested solution. “If you can also see how often you use the app each time you open it in the last day, this is a good reflection of your own behavior and a starting point for adjusting your usage.”

Cost: The limited version is free on the App Store and Play Store, the full version costs 20 francs per year.

Focus To-Do application uses the Pomodoro technique, which has been popular for years. To do this, a timer is usually set for 25 minutes; During this time, you focus and complete your tasks without distraction, and then take a five-minute break. You can distract yourself as much as you want during this break. Then concentrate again for 25 minutes. Benefit of Focus on To-Do: The timer function allows you to create a to-do list that can be completed in 25-minute intervals. Additionally, similar to Forest, a virtual plant grows within the defined time period for each completed task. If you don’t do your job, it dies.

This is what the expert says: «The Pomodoro Technique is a proven, scientifically based way to work efficiently. Interval training helps our brain achieve high performance at regular intervals and recover adequately in between.

Cost: The limited version is available for free on the App Store and Playstore, while the full version is available for a one-time fee of 12 francs.