Now adays, the use of smartphone has become a special necessity of life. Life without smartphone is becoming impossible. While smartphone makes our life easy, on the other hand it is making us addicted which is directly affecting our mental health. It not only affects emotional and psychological health, but also increases issues like anxiety and stress. We need to pay attention in this direction so that we use mobile but do not let it affect our mental health.
What is Smartphone Addiction?
Smartphone addiction is affecting millions of people these days. Ever since the smartphone technology has expanded, it has become a part of our daily routine in the last few years. Smartphone has replaced many gadgets from our life. Use of excessive social media is increasing. Nowadays everyone from children to adults are using smartphone maximum time. Due to social connectivity and low internet cost, it is being used more than required. Due to which smartphone addiction is occurring. Those who get addicted to it cannot feel it even for a minute. They open their phone repeatedly on getting social media notifications. Ignoring important work and staying busy with their smartphone are the symptoms of addiction.
Effect of Smartphone Overuse on Mental Health
Increses anxiety and mental stress
Excessive smartphone use can increase anxiety. One may have to face this mental stress many times due to hours of social media use. In the state of smartphone addiction, when the phone is not near us, symptoms like restlessness, sweating and fast heartbeat can come to the fore.
Poor Sleep Quality
Melatonin controls our sleep cycle. The blue light of the phone screen disrupts melatonin production, which can cause insomnia and fatigue if we use the phone near bedtime. Most people sleep with their phones near them. The phone notifications interfere with our sleep. We are unable to get the deep sleep we need. In this situation, our mental health is disturbed.some time we have to use mental health suppliments for this problem .
Social Isolation and Loneliness
Smartphone addiction reduces real-world interactions, which disconnects us from people around us. Nowadays, even while staying with family, we often get so busy with our smartphones that we start feeling loneliness, which puts us at risk of depression.
Prolonged exposure to social media can trigger feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. When people are without a phone, withdrawal symptoms like irritability and loneliness fuel depression even more.
Effect on physical health
Excessive phone use affects our daily routine. We remain less physically active, which has a negative effect on our physical health. Due to being lazy, we can also be affected by many types of diseases like diabetes, obesity, laziness, depression, anxiety etc.
Effect on personal and social Relationships
Smartphone addiction also impacts personal relationships. When people spend too much time on their phones, their loved ones feel neglected, which can become a reason for conflicts and lack of intimacy.
How to recognize the signs of smartphone addiction?
If you see some of these symptoms in yourself or someone around you, then it could be smartphone addiction.
- Never stay without a phone or keep your phone with you all the time.
- Check your phone repeatedly even if there is no notification.
- Start checking your phone when you are free.
- Use of social media excessively.
- Not going to sleep on the bed without looking at the phone. Using your phone till late at night.
- Keep sending SMS and calling friends to pass time without need.
- Pay more attention to phone than yourself.
How we can manage Smartphone Addiction
- Keep notifications off: Turn off unnecessary alerts of apps which are not necessary and distract you.
- Reduce screen time: Limit phone usage. Avoid unnecessary calls and messages.
- Limit social media engagement: we should connect with only necessary groups and links on social media. Stop being engaged in useless apps.
- Encourage physical games over mobile games: we should avoid gaming on phone and should play physical games which can improve your mental and physical health.
- Create mobile-free zones: If possible, do not use mobile phones at home or office, or use it in very limited quantities.
- Don’t promote phone usage for kids: Do not give phones to your young children. If one gets addicted to phones from childhood, it can lead to addiction, which will also affect mental growth.
- Introduce alternatives: Promote mindfulness and physical activities. Find alternatives for excessive phone use.
How to create a balance between technology and real life?
Building a healthier relationship with technology
Smartphone addiction is a serious problem that is growing in our time. In today’s technological age, we cannot avoid smartphones. Phones have made many things easier, which is a good thing. But it is an addiction that is becoming more prevalent and needs to be addressed. Addressing this needs a proactive approach from individuals and mental health professionals. By understanding warning signs and implementing effective strategies, it is possible to reduce the negative impact of excessive phone use. We should limit phone use by balancing digital engagement and physical engagement. We should reduce unnecessary phone use and promote physical activities, only then will we be able to deal with this problem
Know more about mental health supplements
