It’s no secret that smartphones have taken over our lives. We rely on them for everything from waking up to hailing cabs and ordering groceries. They keep us connected to the rest of the world and update us about our bestie, load shedding.
But…have you ever stopped to think about the impact your phone has on your mental and physical health, productivity, and relationships, outside of the positives?
Spending too much time glued to your screen has the same potential to wreak havoc on your well-being as it does to make life easier. It can trigger your anxiety (cue doom scrolling), worsen depression, and heighten stress. It even has the potential to disrupt your sleep patterns – we’re all guilty of a late-night scroll…
ALSO SEE: We’ve answered all of your sleep questions
Oh, and let’s not forget about the physical effects, like eye strain (caused by staring at the bright screen), neck pain, and even carpal tunnel syndrome – that’s when you know you went overboard with the TikTok sesh.
Your smartphone could also be affecting your productivity and ability to focus, which isn’t in your best interest when you want to get things done and free up time for the important stuff…like spending time with loved ones, self-care, giving your pets love, and snacking.
Nobody’s saying you shouldn’t take a moment to scroll, but boundaries are important. As you retreat into the virtual world, your face-to-face interactions and social connections may suffer. Mindfulness is key.
Ready to loosen the grip your cellphone has on you? Set some limits on your usage and dip your toes into something physical. Whether that’s weekend getaway, getting creative in the kitchen or getting stuck in a DIY project – there’s always a way to ground yourself back in the real world when you’ve been floating out in cyberspace for a little too long.
