Is Your Smartphone Stressing You Out?
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Many people consider their smartphones to be something they can't live without. These small devices pack a big punch. They have the ability to help us so much in our daily lives with things like keeping track of schedules, finding important information, staying up-to-date on current events, and maintaining social connections. Unfortunately, smartphone use has also introduced a lot of negative effects into our lives that can be quite harmful if we don't learn to manage them and find a healthy balance. Let's take a look at some of the ways your smartphone could be stressing you out and causing you harm.
Lost Productivity
As useful and convenient as these devices can be, they can also contribute to a great deal of wasted time. The average American spends OVER 5 HOURS per day on their phone. It sounds crazy, but just think about how often you check your email messages or look in on social media throughout your day. Some people feel like they're tied to their phones, jumping to answer every alert they hear. For others, even having their phone in their line of vision can be a massive distraction. With such potential for distraction, it’s no surprise that our phones can keep us away from doing the most important things in our lives.
Lowered Concentration
Being on such high alert all the time has led to a downturn in our collective ability to concentrate on a daily basis. When you're taken away from a task by the dinging of an email message, it can be difficult to get back to what you were doing. Multitasking is not something most of us excel at, and it can actually make it more difficult for us to concentrate on what matters.
Poor Sleep
We know that getting a good night's rest is imperative for being your best and feeling calm. Nighttime smartphone usage can severely impair your sleep. The reason this happens is because your phone's bright light tricks your brain into thinking it's still daytime. This suppresses the production of melatonin, your body’s natural sleep hormone, thus leading to a disrupted sleep pattern.
Decreased Mental Health
While smartphone usage can be fun and informative and increase things like dopamine in the brain, studies have shown grave effects on mental health. This research explains that using your mobile device excessively can change the way you see the world and other people’s lives in a way that is deeply damaging. Whether you’re being flooded with bad news, or with the skewed versions of other people’s lives, too much time engaging with media can lead to increased levels of depression, anxiety, impatience, frustration, and irritation. These feelings are detrimental to your wellbeing and to achieving a sense of calm.
Keeping these notes in mind about the effects of smartphones can help you understand where stress and harm come from, and maintain a healthy plan for your personal smartphone usage. None of this is to say you shouldn’t use your smartphone, but rather how necessary it is to know the risks and find a balance that works for you. If you feel like you may be too dependent on your device, try limiting your use more strictly. Schedule times to check in with your electronics and remove your smartphone from your physical vicinity when not using it. Give these suggestions a try, and watch how your mood and general presence in your life will change!
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