Benefits of Cold Turkey App

Switching from tab to tab, getting nothing done, then lamenting another unproductive day. If this sounds familiar, Cold Turkey 's website blocker might be the answer you need.

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Table of Contents

• How Cold Turkey Helps You Stop Procrastinating?
  • 1. Set up hard blocks
  • 2. Difficult to erase
  • 3. Works on all major browsers
• Why consider upgrading to the paid version?
  • 1. Set up scheduled blocking
  • 2. Take breaks when needed
  • 3. Block websites and applications

How Cold Turkey Helps You Stop Procrastinating?

Cold Turkey is a tech-savvy way to overcome procrastination and has some useful tools. The app sets strict time limits and offers a lot more. Here’s an overview:

1. Set up hard blocks

One of the biggest advantages of using Cold Turkey is that you can set up hard blocks with the Frozen Turkey feature. This is useful for short-term blocks, like when you need to stop using the Internet unproductively to prepare for an upcoming exam. You'll need to set up these blocks manually with the free plan, but at least it's doable.

Hard blocking websites is even better if you want to curb long-term addictions. For example, you might set this feature if you tend to browse the latest sports news or watch mindless YouTube videos while you're working on your computer.

To set up a hard block, you can select websites that you don't want to access on your computer. Once you're done, you can click the lock icon to ensure that you can't remove the block. Each time the block expires, you can renew the block.

2. Difficult to erase

When practicing digital minimalism and looking for a screen time blocking app, it’s important to find something that’s hard to delete. Many screen time apps are easy to delete, making them pointless, especially if you’re not determined enough.

It is possible to remove Cold Turkey, but it is significantly more complicated than many other apps. For example, if there is an active block, you cannot uninstall the app until it is finished. Furthermore, you will constantly see a prompt to install the Cold Turkey extension on any new browsers you download.

Since Cold Turkey is harder to uninstall, you're more likely to focus on your task and not bother trying to ignore the app.

3. Works on all major browsers

Some website blockers only work in specific browsers, meaning you can still access sites you shouldn't be visiting elsewhere. Cold Turkey, on the other hand, works regardless of your primary browser. In addition to Safari , Chrome, and Edge, you can also use Cold Turkey in Opera and Microsoft Edge .

You’ll need to use your tablet or smartphone to access sites you shouldn’t be visiting. To block even that temporary solution, you’ll need to install a separate blocker. Opal is a great option.

Why consider upgrading to the paid version?

The free version of Cold Turkey is great if you want to set boundaries and focus without distractions, but you’ll get more out of the app if you upgrade to the paid version (a one-time purchase of $39).

1. Set up scheduled blocking

Setting hard blocks is an effective way to stop procrastination, but having to constantly update these blocks can get tiring. After a certain point, you may want to schedule your blocks (you can do this with the free version).

You can choose to block every day or only on certain days of the week. Additionally, you can choose specific times when you want to block websites.

For non-negotiable blocks, you can lock them so they cannot be undone. On the main window, you will see an overview of your upcoming blocks.

2. Take breaks when needed

It’s much easier to stick to your goals if you know you can take a break. This is especially important if you’ve never tried to stop using the Internet excessively before. While the free version of Cold Turkey doesn’t allow you to do this, you can easily do so with the paid version.

You can take breaks whenever you think you need them; consider using the Pomodoro technique to break your day into manageable chunks. Working for an hour before taking a 15-minute break can also be effective. Consider combining these with more unique productivity techniques like my study with me videos.

3. Block websites and applications

When using the free version of Cold Turkey, you can only block websites. While this is helpful for eliminating many distractions, you still run the risk of procrastinating by opening applications on your computer that aren’t even distracting.

Once you upgrade to the paid version of Cold Turkey, you can block any apps that don't help you achieve your goals. You can add these apps the same way you add websites. In addition to adding apps from your computer, you can block apps by uploading them to folders.