How often do you reach for phone? It’s likely more frequently than you realize—Americans unlock their smartphones 150 times each day, on average.

A few years ago, Richard Simon, who lives in Baltimore with his family, was feeling distressed about how smartphone usage was affecting his life. His subsequent yearlong detox convinced him that life with only limited smartphone use (or none at all) is happier and more fulfilling.

In June 2025, Workman Publishing released Simon’s compact, practical guide Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life. In it, Simon includes his own story along with plenty of other individuals’ accounts of their lives with and without smartphones. He also weaves in interviews with scientists and other experts, along with loads of tips—even list

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