Are you facing anxiety or is it Nomophobia (the fear of being without a cell phone)?
There is no coincidence that Anxiety diagnoses have climbed at a similar rate to smartphone usage since 2004. Have you ever felt a phantom buzz, heard your text tone in your mind? Or just constantly check your phone for no apparent reason or during sleep? You are most likely one of the millions of undiagnosed phone addicts. Frankly, phone addiction is the obsessive use of a smartphone. Researchers have officially dubbed it a behavioral addiction. There are over 3.8 billion smartphone users all over the world. Virgin Mobile’s research discovered that those billions of smartphone users receive 427% more messages and notifications than they have ten years ago. They also send 278% more texts. The rise in phone use seems like a form of necessity for contemporary life, yet the concern and damage it may cause are being overlooked.
Why is it so bad, everybody is doing it?
There is a list of negative effects that phone overuse can have on the vitality of our lives and how effectively we are able to relieve stress. Aside from zapping our attention spans, phones can drain our energy. Ever been super groggy on a day of little physical activity with heavy phone use, you’re addicted! These devices were practically designed for you to sit and stare at them for hours. Most of us even have the worst habit of sleeping with our phones in or near our beds. Studies have shown that radiation and radio frequencies disrupt deep sleep, sleep delays & confusion. Try to keep your cell at least 3 feet away from you. Constantly checking our phones can cause high levels of anxiety, the same goes for anxiety causing us to constantly check our phones as a coping method. Checking others' profiles constantly is keeping you in a neurotic funk. Being dependent on our phones as a coping method is all kinds of trouble. Sure it is handy to look into your phone when in awkward social settings, yet it won’t give that social anxiety any relief. Phones are great distractions, but we need to face the things that worry us clear-minded and without the influence of what is going on in the palms of our hands.
Sleep deficit
Lower concentration
Creativity blocks
Aggravated attention deficit disorders
Anxiety
Diminished deep thinking and processing
Stress
Loneliness
Insecurity
Impaired parent-child relationship
Poor academic performance
Psychological disorders
Don’t block your ‘’Me time”
Our cell phones give others the space to dictate our schedules when you are always readily reachable. This can cut into that well-deserved “me time.” People are more likely to call and text you when it is convenient for them, not you. This can leave us overwhelmed on who and what to respond to. We feel obligations and subliminal pressure constantly. Our attention spans are ultimately affected, especially if you are someone like me who picks up my phone at least twice per hour.
Ready to help yourself?
Don’t let your phone consume you. Be intentional on having hours within the day to unplug. Turn on your screen time tracker and check what you are apps you spend all your time on. My iPhone has a feature in which it turns off specific apps after a certain time. Out of sight, Out of mind baby! When you are around friends and family, BE PRESENT. Put your phone away and spark up meaningful conversation. We also don’t need to take as many pictures and videos throughout an experience to know it happened. Our memories are what really matter when it's all said and done. Stop using your phone at least an hour before bed and sleep with it away from you. Try to get up and stretch vs checking your phone first thing in the morning unless you are turning off your alarm clock. Most importantly, pay closer attention to the habits you create and notice how you could love yourself a little bit better when you log off and tune in to yourself.
