My smartphone is something I can’t live without. How did I survive back in the 90s without it? It’ keeps me on track with appointments, birthdays, finding out the latest news and staying up to date with my social life! But as great as they, cellphones have a lot of negative effects and can be really bad for us if we don’t find a healthy balance.
Let’s take a look at some of the negative effects of cellphones.
Lost Productivity
As useful as these devices are and as convenient as they make our lives, they can also contribute to a great deal of wasted time. 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. It can really keep you from doing more important things.
Lowered Concentration
In fact, being on such high alert all the time has led to a downturn in our 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 really hard 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 Habits
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. Your phone’s bright light actually tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. Melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, is then suppressed. Thus, your sleep pattern is disrupted.
Bad Mental Health
Smartphone use can be fun and informative. Studies have also discovered a negative effect to mental health. Research shows that using your mobile device excessively can result in a number of negative effects on your mental outlook.
Depression, anxiety, impatience, frustration, and irritation were all noted. These feelings hurt your wellbeing and make it impossible to live a happy life!
Beat Cellphone Addiction
- Don’t wake up to your cellphone!
- No cellphones during meal time
- Pay attention to people around you
- Limit your time on your phone
- Turn off unnecessary notifications
- Notice when you’re mindlessly scrolling social media
These are just some of the ways that your smartphone can stress you out and cause you harm. I’m not to saying cellphones are bad or that you shouldn’t use them. They key is to finding a balance that works for you. Try limiting your time on your phone, if you feel like you’re becoming too dependent.
It’s important to pay attention to those around you and focus on the tasks you have to do, rather than letting your cellphone distract you. Instead, schedule times to check in on your phone, rather than just grabbing and scrolling mindlessly all day. Try this and I’m sure you’ll be happier!
