Ah…our smart phones. What would we do without them? They wake us up, get us where we need to go, and take cute videos of our pets and kids. Our cell phones, tablets and other wireless devices are incredible tools that keep us connected…but is there more to the story?
Q: What’s wrong with using my smart phone?
A: Nothing. The problem for many of us is our relationship with our phones, and our lack of awareness around how much we’re actually using them, how they may be affecting our relationships and the effect they have on our brains.
Q: How do I know if I’m addicted to my phone?
A: Well, if we’re honest, most of us know, right? But if you’re not sure, there are a few good indicators:
A close friend, partner or family member has suggested that you have a problem
You spend more time on our phone than you realize—time seems to disappear
You spend more time texting, tweeting or direct messaging instead of actually interacting with people in person or by voice
Looking at your phone is the last thing you do before falling asleep and/or the first thing you do upon waking
You sleep with your phone under your pillow or right next to your bed
You text, email, use social media or surf the web while driving
You find yourself regularly ‘passing time’ by looking at your phone
Your phone is on the table during meals
You feel anxious if you accidently leave your phone at home
When your phone rings, or a notification sounds, you feel compelled to look and answer, immediately
You wish you used your phone less than you do
Q: So, what’s the big deal? Does using my phone really affect my brain and my health?
A: I’m afraid so. First of all, it’s really important to acknowledge that our phones, plus all of the fun apps we use, are designed to keep us coming back for more. Beyond that, multiple studies show that heavy device use (especially if social media is involved) can be linked to increased neuroticism, lower self-esteem, decreased focus, shortened attention span, poor memory, increased feelings of anxiety, depression and higher levels of stress—to name a few.
Q: Okay, so how do I change my relationship to my phone?
A: The first step is a desire to make a change. And if you do, I suggest a few first steps:
Utilize the “screen time” app on your phone, or if you don’t have one, you can download a tracking app. This helps us get real about how much time we’re actually on our phone.
Turn off all notifications, aside from maybe text
Turn your phone to the grayscale setting
Get an alarm clock and get your phone out of your bedroom
If you’d like to change your relationship with your cell phone, schedule a
Free Breakthrough Session today.