• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

3

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

3

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
LifeWorkplace Wellness

Unmotivated at work? Cutting back on screen time can help, new study shows

By
Lindsey Leake
Lindsey Leake
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lindsey Leake
Lindsey Leake
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 20, 2024, 6:02 AM ET
Cutting back on screen time by just an hour a day may boost not only your motivation in the workplace but also your well-being, according to new research out of Germany.
Cutting back on screen time by just an hour a day may boost not only your motivation in the workplace but also your well-being, according to new research out of Germany.Ezra Bailey—Getty Images

Even if you love your job, there may be times you feel dissatisfied and/or unmotivated at work. But there’s a simple solution, suggests a new study out of Germany.

Recommended Video

Cutting back on screen time by just an hour a day may boost not only your motivation in the workplace but also your well-being, according to researchers at the German Center for Mental Health and the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center at Ruhr University Bochum. The findings were published last week in the journal Acta Psychologica.

Some employers heavily invest in their employees’ work satisfaction and motivation, two factors crucial to a company’s productivity, lead researcher Julia Brailovskaia, PhD, said in a news release. Her team’s findings, she said, offer employers a low-threshold way to improve those elements while also fostering employees’ mental health and work-life balance.

The randomized controlled trial involved nearly 300 people employed in different industries and workplaces throughout Germany. They were divided into four groups and changed their behaviors accordingly for a week:

  • Smartphone group: Reduced daily smartphone use by an hour
  • Physical activity group: Increased daily physical activity by 30 minutes
  • Combination group: Reduced daily smartphone use by an hour and increased daily physical activity by 30 minutes
  • Control group: Didn’t change behaviors

More exercise + less screen time = better well-being

Researchers assessed participants’ well-being before, immediately after, and two weeks after their assigned behavior changes or lack thereof. Employees in the smartphone and combination groups reported significant improvement in their mental health, work-life balance, and work satisfaction and motivation. In addition, they indicated reduced feelings of work overload and symptoms of problematic smartphone use.

All participants asked to change their behavior in some way saw reduced depressive symptoms and an enhanced sense of control.

“A conscious and controlled reduction of non-work-related screen time, in combination with more physical activity, could improve employees’ work satisfaction and mental health,” Brailovskaia said.

One of the study’s major limitations is that the participants were all white and relatively young; no group’s average age exceeded 28. Future studies are needed to see if the findings hold for a more representative sample of the international workforce, the authors noted. As this study focused on non-work-related smartphone use, additional research might explore how work-related screen time impacts mental health, they said.

If you’re looking to cut back on your own screen time but aren’t sure how to go about it, try what Alex Turvy, MEd, a researcher in Tulane University’s City + Culture + Community program studying social media and internet culture, calls an “integration over separation” tactic. You could pair digital engagement with physical activity, such as going for a walk while listening to an audiobook.

“Recognize that the dichotomy between screen time and non-screen time is becoming increasingly blurred,” Turvy previously told Fortune. “Integrating meaningful screen-free activities into daily routines rather than strictly separating the two can be helpful.”

For more on workplace well-being:

  • The return-to-office wars have diminished workplace well-being—especially for these groups
  • Utah has the best work environment in America, including the fewest hours on the clock. Here’s where your state ranks
  • Menopause stigma is impeding women’s career growth, survey says. Here’s how a lack of support is hampering ambition—and the economy
  • Senior leaders are up to 12x more likely to be psychopaths—how to spot an abusive boss

Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up for free today.

About the Author
By Lindsey Leake
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Life

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Life

woman holding coffee in a to-go cup
LifestyleNutrition
Starbucks responds to America’s protein craze by testing a special new latte
By Beth GreenfieldJune 11, 2025
11 months ago
Why drinking sugar may be worse than eating it
LifestyleNutrition
Why drinking sugar may be worse than eating it
By Beth GreenfieldJune 10, 2025
11 months ago
Young hiker drinking from reusable water bottle
LifestyleNutrition
Your reusable water bottle may be a breeding ground for strep and fecal bacteria. Here’s how to keep it clean
By Amanda LoudinJune 10, 2025
11 months ago
This plant compound could lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to new research
LifestyleNutrition
This plant compound could lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to new research
By Ani FreedmanJune 4, 2025
1 year ago
Author John Green has advice for Gen Z to ‘shrink the empathy gap’
LifestyleGen Z
Author John Green has advice for Gen Z to ‘shrink the empathy gap’
By Alexa MikhailMay 31, 2025
1 year ago
Protein bars may not have the health benefits that you think, study finds
LifestyleNutrition
Protein bars may not have the health benefits that you think, study finds
By Ani FreedmanMay 30, 2025
1 year ago

Most Popular

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
3 days ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
6 hours ago
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
10 hours ago
Debbie Gibson, Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath want you to adopt a beagle rescued from an experimental lab in Wisconsin
North America
Debbie Gibson, Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath want you to adopt a beagle rescued from an experimental lab in Wisconsin
By Scott Bauer and The Associated PressMay 13, 2026
3 days ago