Try this to spend less time glued to your phone
Ready to spend less time staring at your phone? Try this.
The Post offers a fun podcast, literally called 'Try This.' It's a show that explores solutions for life's common problems. This week, a new one dropped that's all about regaining your focus.
In the podcast, available in your favorite app or on The Post's website, addiction psychiatrist Anna Lembke explains how the brain chemical dopamine fuels our unhealthy phone habits. Then in Episodes 3 and 4, I join the conversation with practical, judgment-free tips for breaking the cycle.
I thought it would also be worth sharing some of the practical advice here.
You've probably heard conflicting recommendations about limiting screen time, such as using app timers, setting your screen to gray or even switching to a 'dumb' phone. These strategies aren't always practical. Some have even proved ineffective in the long run. I focused on tips I've learned from researchers, readers and my own experience. (As always, I'd love to hear over email what works for you.)
The thing to know: There's not one simple trick that will make you stop scrolling. You should approach reducing your phone obsession like any significant habit change: with a sense of experimentation and the support of the people around you. (And if you're trying to help your children manage phone time, I've got specific advice in this column.)
What I recommend is trying to set boundaries around your phone. These can reduce some of what makes your phone feel so appealing, physically keep it out of reach and help you break unconscious habits.
These phone boundaries come in three categories: technical, physical and social.
You — not a tech company — should be in charge of when and how your phone tries to get your attention. Try this:
If your phone isn't in front of you, you're less likely to pick it up or think about it. Try this:
The people around us can make it feel like we have to be in constant communication. Try this:
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- New York Post
White House staffer went on a revenge tour against Elon Musk, fanning flames with Trump — while bragging about Tesla stock drop
WASHINGTON — A top White House aide is taking the blame for helping trigger President Trump's fiery clash with Elon Musk — after speaking for months about giving the billionaire 'payback' and even gloating to colleagues when Tesla's stock price dropped, The Post has learned. Sergio Gor, Trump's director of presidential personnel, was instrumental in the president's decision late Saturday to yank the nomination of Musk's personal friend Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator, turning a contained disagreement on legislation into a firestorm of insults, four sources inside or close to the White House tell The Post. 5 Sergio Gor, director of the White House presidential personnel office, during a Kennedy Center Board dinner with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Bloomberg via Getty Images Isaacman's donations to Democrats — including $100,000 in 2021 to a PAC linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — would disqualify most nominees under Gor's standard vetting process. But Isaacman wasn't pulled by Trump until hours after Musk left his unpaid White House role, at Gor's urging. Musk was Trump's top financial backer in the 2024 election and this week's clash has put the president's legislative agenda at risk — and even threatens long-term political damage after Musk endorsed Trump's potential impeachment. Musk and Gor disliked each other since before Trump reclaimed power on Jan. 20 — with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO describing Gor as 'sleazy' during the transition and questioning his staffing picks. But the world's richest man had the president's ear and friendship through last week. 5 Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. Getty Images Simmering behind the scenes was a grudge nursed by Gor over a March 6 cabinet meeting, during which Musk 'humiliated' him by slamming the pace of staffing the administration, said the four sources, each of whom have interacted closely with Gor. 'He was bragging to other people that he was going to get one last shot at Elon out the door. He was going to get Elon back for making him look bad,' said one source. 'Elon was always telling the president 'Sergio's not moving fast enough to hire people. He's not the right guy for the job.' In front of the entire cabinet he said that. It's not just humiliating, but the president starts looking at him like, 'Why aren't you doing your f—ing job?'' Another said: 'Sergio was upset about Elon dressing him down at the meeting and said he was going to 'get him'. [Isaacman's nomination being pulled] was the modern-day equivalent of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Sure, Sergio got a scalp, but what did POTUS get?' Three sources say Gor's intensely personal dislike of Musk was illustrated by his periodic celebrations when Tesla's stock cratered. One source said that they were present when Gor laughed with satisfaction while showing off the dips in Musk's wealth. 'He'd go around showing Tesla stock prices going down and laugh about it, like he was responsible for taking the Tesla stock down,' one White House source revealed. The other said they heard from Gor repeatedly when Tesla stock tumbled. 5 White House Senior Advisor to the President and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk departs the U.S. Capitol Building on March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty Images 5 President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025 REUTERS Gor denied to The Post that he ever sought revenge against Musk and insisted that claims he openly rejoiced at Tesla stock falling were false. Steve Bannon, a Gor supporter, told The Post that he believes that the breakdown had nothing to do with the relatively obscure White House aide — citing months of disagreements, including Musk's dislike of Trump's tariffs, Trump's cancelation of a planned Pentagon briefing for Musk about China and the president not acting to extend Musk's 130-day tenure as a special government employee. 'It's the president and Elon. This has nothing to do with Sergio Gor. Sergio Gor is a staffer that the president has to do things,' Bannon argued. 'Did Elon have a problem with Sergio? Yes, the fact that we are not hiring enough — guess what? — liberal f–king progressive Democrats.' Bannon, who has pushing for Musk to be deported despite him being a naturalized American citizen since 2002, added claims that Gor was at the root of the clash were 'absolutely ludicrous' 'This is all about the behavior … the incompetence, the lack of performance, the drugs which President Trump is very upset about, all of it, of Elon Musk,' Bannon said. Although the White House was rife with tension for months with Musk and Gor 'hating each other,' the bad feeling never spiraled out of hand until Thursday, when Trump and Musk went at each other with personal attacks. Although Musk's criticisms of the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' gained significant attention, the president was chummy with the tech mogul on his last day in government May 30 — despite clips circulating for three days of the billionaire telling 'CBS Sunday Morning' that 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful but I don't know if it can be both.' As part of the send-off, Trump and Musk praised each other in the Oval Office, with the latter receiving an ornate key to the White House. Only after Isaacman's nomination was pulled Saturday night did the tit-for-tat build, with Musk calling the bill a 'disgusting abomination' Tuesday. The fight erupted further Thursday as Trump contended he would have won the election even without Musk's help and the businessman firing back that the Jeffrey Epstein files contain information on the president. 'The NASA guy was the straw that broke the camel's back,' one White House source said, arguing that Gor wanted 'to bury the knife in [Musk's] back.' 5 Elon Musk embraces Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Getty Images Musk is not the only White House figure to cross Gor, according to this source, who added that the personnel boss helped far-right activist Laura Loomer gain a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, after which six National Security Council officials were fired — while national security adviser Mike Waltz was moved out to become ambassador to the United Nations. 'There's just one staffer that's in the middle of every drama, leak and chaos that exists. It's been a detriment to the president and the organization,' they said. 'We've bounced basically two billionaires from the party and from the movement, because Sergio doesn't like them. And what does that do for anyone, or the cause?' White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called Gor 'a vital member of the team and he has helped President Trump put together an administration that is second to none.' But one source close to the White House said that illumination of the roots of the Trump-Musk feud could help prevent potentially devastating political consequences for Republicans. 'I think it will help,' the insider said. 'If Elon understands that this was not the president that was going after him and that the president was played by Sergio, I think Elon might look at it as an opportunity to say, 'Ok, let's put this s— to bed. And this guy thinks he's going to get me? I'm going to get him.''
New York Post
10 hours ago
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Ozempic makes you twice as likely to develop this debilitating condition — what that really means for your risk
A growing number of Ozempic and Mounjaro users have shared stark warnings after going blind while using GLP-1 drugs. Now a new study is bringing into focus the relationship between diabetic GLP-1 users and the elevated risk of age-related eye disease. But despite seemingly alarming numbers, a doctor explained to The Post why she doesn't actually think it should steer people away from the jab. 3 A 2024 study found that 12% of the US population has taken a GLP-1 drug at some point, with around 6% currently using them. alones – Published in JAMA Ophthalmology, the study was drawn from the health records of nearly 140,000 patients. Researchers found that after one year, GLP-1 users were more than twice as likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration than those who were not taking the drugs. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that gradually damages the macula, the part of your eye's retina responsible for sharp, central vision. As it worsens, people find it increasingly difficult to see things directly in front of them, while their peripheral vision remains largely unaffected. In older people, AMD is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The study found the risk percentage was 0.2% in GLP-1 users and 0.1% in nonusers. Nearly 20 million adults in the US are living with AMD, which comes in two types. The slower-moving dry AMD makes up about 80% of cases. It occurs when the macula gets thinner with age, often due to the buildup of yellow protein deposits known as drusen, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Wet AMD, also known as neovascular AMD (nAMD), while less common, is far more aggressive, causing rapid and severe vision loss. In this form, the macula's function is compromised by the growth and leakage of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina. The condition is typically treated with frequent injections to restore or stabilize vision. 3 Kaden notes that while there is cause for concern, headlines will amplify what she believes is a relatively low risk Northwell Foundation 'What researchers in this latest study were looking for specifically was whether or not these were people who converted from the dry form of macular degeneration, which is where you don't have abnormal blood vessels to the wet form, which is when you do,' Dr. Talia Kaden, director of the Northwell Health retina fellowship told the Post. But Kaden noted that while there is cause for concern, she actually believes there a relatively low risk. 'We're talking about a handful of patients who might have an increase in retinopathy compared to the millions of patients on these medications.' Dr. Talia Kaden 'That 2X number is really powerful, but when you look at the raw data, I don't think it's quite as strong a punch. I don't think that number should be a reason for people not to be on these drugs. I do think, though, it is worth continuing to look into,' she said. This study adds to a growing body of research documenting vision problems in patients using GLP-1 drugs. A review published earlier this year in JAMA Ophthalmology uncovered at least nine cases of patients who experienced vision loss after taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively. And a 2024 study suggested a potential link between semaglutide and the rare eye condition nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), in which restricted blood flow to the optic nerve causes sudden-onset vision loss. 'None of these studies are definitive in identifying that there has been a change. Some of them show a slight increase, but we're talking about a handful of patients who might have an increase in retinopathy compared to the millions of patients on these medications,' Kaden said. 3 In older people, AMD is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. StockPhotoPro – Researchers think that declining blood glucose levels caused by GLP-1s could trigger abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Further, there are GLP-1 receptors in the retina, and these drugs increase the levels of molecules that lead to harmful blood vessel formation. 'Seeing such a clear signal in our study was striking,' co-author Reut Shor of the University of Toronto told STAT. 'The absolute risk remains low, but the advanced form of AMD is a condition with serious implications for vision and quality of life. So a doubling of risk is clinically meaningful, particularly for vulnerable populations like older adults who may already be at elevated baseline risk.' Shor and his team note that more research is necessary to determine whether direct or indirect effects are causing the increased risk of nAMD. Shor and Kaden maintain that these findings should not be cause for alarm nor a reason to halt the prescription or use of these medications; rather, patients should be made aware of the risk and monitor their vision accordingly. Kaden, the study authors, and other experts recommend that GLP-1 users be on the lookout for any vision changes that could indicate early signs of AMD. 'We really want you to look for anything blurring, any new distortion. If you're looking at a flagpole or a doorframe, that should be a straight line. If all of a sudden that line looks wavy or curvy, that's a reason to seek a consultation with a retina specialist,' said Kaden.
New York Post
16 hours ago
- New York Post
NYS lawmakers set vote to make assisted suicide legal despite controversy
ALBANY – State lawmakers are 'likely' to pass a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide next week –despite controversy over the legislation, the Senate Democratic leader said Thursday. The measure — which would allow people with six months or less to live to be prescribed a cocktail of drugs to end their lives — would be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk after approval by the state legislature in a vote that could come as soon as Monday. 'I do believe there are the votes and it is likely it will come to the floor,' Senate Democratic Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins told reporters. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) said the Medical Aid in Dying Act will likely be brought up for a vote before the end of session next week. Hans Pennink 'Ultimately, the majority of the conference felt comfortable with providing options for people during difficult end of life times,' the Westchester County legislator said. A source familiar said the vote is likely to be scheduled for Monday and Stewart-Cousins' acknowledgement it is set for a vote indicates wide support in the Democratic caucus, which controls both houses of the legislature. Critics of the legislation – which include the Catholic church and disability rights groups, amongst others – argue the bill doesn't have adequate safeguards against abuse. 'We appreciate the Senator's desire to have a conversation about end of life care, but handing sick people a suicide cocktail is not compassion nor is it healthcare,' Bob Bellafiore, spokesperson for the New York State Catholic Conference told The Post. 'We know many Democratic senators have very deep reservations about this bill and they should be allowed to vote their conscience instead of toeing a party line,' he added. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, one of the Senators driving the effort to pass the bill, said the legislation is about 'honoring choice.' A source said Stewart-Cousins' acknowledgement the measure is set for a vote indicates wide support for it in the Democratic caucus. Hans Pennink 'Passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act affirms New Yorkers' right to make deeply personal end-of-life decisions. This legislation offers terminally ill individuals the autonomy to choose a peaceful and dignified passing, surrounded by loved ones,' Scarcella-Spanton said. 'It's about honoring choice, alleviating suffering, and treating people with the compassion they deserve. I'm proud to see that we have the support to get this landmark piece of legislation done,' Scarcella-Spanton added.
