Devices are a big part of life in the 21st century. People may have access to tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, but people may be likely to spend more time on their smartphones.

With a new year on the horizon, people may resolve to make better use of their time in the months ahead. Disconnecting from devices like smartphones can help individuals accomplish that goal.

Individuals can employ various strategies as they aspire to spend less time on their devices. Suggested strategies include closing some social media accounts, turning off notifications, and changing one's reading habits.

Social media can be a useful tool to stay connected with family, friends, and the local community, but those connections can be maintained through one or two social media platforms. Closing some social media accounts can reduce the temptation to pick up a device, ultimately paving the way to more time away from tablets, smartphones, and laptops.

People may also be tempted to pick up their smartphone when they hear the sound of a notification. Turning off notifications makes it easier to disconnect from devices and potentially be more productive.

E-reader enthusiasts may have access to millions of books at their fingertips, but that access could come at a steep cost. Distractions abound when reading books on tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. The internet is only a swipe or two away when reading e-books, while print books provide no such access to the internet. For this reason, readers may consider sticking to print books. Tablets and e-readers employ the same notification system as smartphones, so readers who prefer the digital route can turn those notifications off before sitting down with a good book.

Some people may aspire to disconnect from their devices more often in the new year. The success of such resolutions may depend on the approach individuals employ.