From the moment we wake up, to the moment we go back to sleep, our lives revolve around our digital devices. Our mobile phones have evolved from being a tool for communication to a means of running and keeping track of every aspect of our lives: business to entertainment, to working out, to navigating our way around town. Our obsession with our phones has turned into habit, and with endless apps and resources at our very fingertips, we feel almost naked and lost any time we part with our phones for any extended amount of time.
As we know – but avoid to admit – research shows the potential for serious repercussions from the overuse of and reliance on our phones.
In this article, we delve into the statistics of phone addiction, the possible side effects, the warning signs of over-dependence on your device and some ways you can train yourself to spend more time away from the screen.
The average Australian spends around 5.6 hours a day looking at their phone, with 76% stating they check their phone within 10 minutes of waking up, and 46% volunteering that they feel addicted to their phone.
Like many addictions, the effects are both evident on our wallets and our wellbeing. With 33% of people stating that they regularly pay more for additional data usage, one has to wonder what sort of effects this extended phone use is having on our health.
For the first time in human history, we are never truly alone with our thoughts. Always online, always connected; our brains can become cluttered with the never-ending input of information and stimulation. Here are some of the effects one might experience from too much phone time:
Increased stress and anxiety – Constant exposure to notifications from calls, texts, alerts and updates can take a serious toll on our brain’s ability to switch off. A new phenomenon, developed only in the last decade, means that our brains haven’t had time to adjust and adapt to the constant input we are receiving from our phones. More and more of us find we are suffering from digital overstimulation, resulting in increased stress and anxiety.
Diminished attention – The constant stream of messages and information from our smartphone can be overwhelming, making it difficult to focus our attention on any one thing for more than a few minutes without feeling bored or compelled to move on to something else. Our phones also encourage and enable us to procrastinate, taking us away from our tasks and rendering our output less effective.
Inhibiting deep thinking and creativity – The persistent vibrations, tones, and rings of your phone can distract you from important tasks, slowing your work and interrupting those essential quiet moments involved in being creative or problem-solving.
If you’re concerned that your phone is consuming too much of your time and attention, here are some warning signs to look out for:
Creating focused and constructive, mindfulness-based rituals can help you have a balanced relationship with smartphone technology.
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