It’s an age-old story: a woman checks her phone while at work, gets a flood of notifications, loses concentration, and never regains her previous productivity. We’ve all been there, and it’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. But if you want to regain some of that productivity and avoid the phone trap, we have a few tips for you.

Make some rules

Making rules for yourself is annoying, but it’s also annoyingly effective. To use your phone less, set specific times when phone use is acceptable and when it’s not. For example, checking your phone during lunch breaks or certain short breaks might be acceptable, but checking it during meetings or in the middle of Pomodoro could be disruptive. This way, you’re not being too draconian; you can still check your phone frequently.

Get App-y

You wouldn’t know it, but in fact, your phone could be the answer. A most unexpected savior! Apps like Forest, Freedom, and Moment can block distracting websites and apps, helping you put your phone away more easily. Find some productivity apps and consider incorporating them into your home screen.

Disable notification

Notifications are literally the problem. To make your phone less distracting, turn off notifications from social media, games, and other apps that have nothing to do with your work. Important notifications are fine (they’re crucial, in fact), but if your ex posts a picture of his dog on Instagram, that’s not the case.

Do not disturb mode

Most smartphones have a Do Not Disturb mode. Use this feature during work hours to prevent calls, messages, notifications and, well, disturbances from interrupting your workflow. You can find the feature in the Settings section and customize it to only disturb you in emergencies.

Keep your phone out of sight

Out of sight, out of mind. This isn’t true for most things (ex-partners, for example), but it’s definitely true for phones. Keeping your phone in a drawer, bag, or another room can reduce the temptation to constantly look at it. It’s as simple as putting your charger in another room. Just the fact that you have to get up to get your phone can prevent unnecessary scrolling and help you focus back on work.