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 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
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.
Decreased 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 are detrimental to your wellbeing and to achieving a sense of calm.
These are just some of the ways in which reliance on your smartphone can stress you out and cause you harm. That’s not to say cellphones are bad or that you shouldn’t use them. They key is to finding a balance that works for you. If you feel like you may be too dependent on your device, try limiting your use. 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 to see if you don’t notice an improvement in your mood.
I’m absolutely thrilled you decided to join us for this challenge!
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Woman of God on a mission to spread love most of all, kindness and the truth about the Savior. I thank Him daily for saving and keeping me, bringing me into the knowledge of Him and steadily making intercession for me on behalf of the Father. Every lesson that I give goes to me first. I speak not as though I am different but that I am the same as any other follower of Christ, seeking wisdom and understanding from God and depending on Him fully to provide everything that I need in this life.