It’s fair to say that we’ve all become a little obsessed with our phones over the last decade. The rise of our phone’s ability to do different things, from banking to shopping, socialising to gaming has led to an over reliance on them. An over reliance that is having a significant impact on our mental health.
In fact, more and more people are being diagnosed with an addiction to their smartphone. The type of behavioural addiction is rising and many a rehab centre are now treating it in order to get people’s life back on track.
While not everyone who uses their smartphone a lot has an addiction, our relationships with devices are becoming more toxic, and having a huge knock on effect on our mental health, whether that be through peer pressure from social media or being disconnected with the reel world through consistent doom scrolling.
A good option to try and combat this is by having regular digital detoxes. Dedicating time to a no smartphone environment. It’s been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and, that’s for a number of reasons…
It’ll Reduce Stress and Anxiety
First and foremost, it will have an impact on your stress and anxiety levels. The constant stream of information from smartphones can lead to heightened levels of stress and anxiety due to the increase of cortisol levels going through our system. By putting your phone to the side for a couple of hours per day, you can take a much needed break from the notifications and alerts that seem to come through on a regular basis, allowing you to completely switch off and focus on the present.
Improved Sleep Quality
One of the biggest problems with looking at screens all day, often a computer in the day and then a phone into the evenings is that the blue light emitted from the screens interferes with the body’s production of melatonin, which in turn will lead to disrupted sleep patterns.
This can be a contributor of insomnia, so dedicating time in the evening, especially in the immediate hours leading up to bedtime can really improve sleep quality, improving mental health and leaving you more refreshed each morning.
Enhanced Presence and Mindfulness
Ultimately, by taking a break from our smartphones we become more involved in the world around us. How frequently do we spend time on the sofa next to our partner, completely ignoring them because we’re busy on TikTok or Instagram?
By putting our phones away we can fully engage with what’s around us, disengaging with the virtual world and being in the present moment. That’s going to lead to a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfilment that can, as well as prevent relationships from becoming fraught.
Stronger Social Connections
Ultimately, by putting our smartphones down, we do have the time to have more heartfelt conversations, share laughter and enjoy each other’s company without distraction. This is incredibly nourishing for the soul, more so than connecting a stranger online in a Twitter argument.
In fact, while smartphones do make connecting with people more accessible, studies have actually shown that excessive smartphone usage is actually more associated with feelings such as loneliness and isolation.
Increased Productivity and Creativity
Finally, by taking hours away from our phones each day, we’re ultimately going to be more productive with our day, and that’s only going to increase levels of satisfaction and purpose. You have the time to focus and concentrate on work, developing relationships, taking up hobbies and more.
Smartphones can seriously impede productivity and creativity, so disconnecting from it is only going to improve those levels and allow you to feel a heightened sense of achievement that’s only going to improve mood and mental health.
