Let’s face it, we live in the most plugged-in era in history. There are tons of upsides to having quick and easy access to the digital world. We don’t have to carry handheld maps in our cars to get where we’re going. We can pop onto Facetime and see the faces of loved ones who are miles away. But, constantly looking down at our phone screens can create a myriad of health issues if we aren’t mindful of just how much time we are devoting to them.
Mental Health Advocate L.M. Browning poetically said, “Being connected to everything has disconnected us from ourselves and the preciousness of this present moment.”
While we may not like to admit it, many of us have become addicted to our iPhones, Androids, etc. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of checking emails or Instagram while walking down a staircase or busy sidewalk. Do you get anxious when you see your battery life going red? Rationally we are aware we have a problem, so why is it so hard to break free?!
Let’s reframe this for a minute…More often than not, our dependency on technology stems from a good place. We are a society that praises productivity and efficiency. It’s a great feeling to clear out our inboxes however if our happiness and validation are too tied to our phones, how can we appreciate the here and now?
Struggling to disconnect? Try these 3 steps today!
Step 1: Acknowledge the problem
Have you ever been in the middle of an important conversation with someone who you know was “half-listening” because their phone was either in their hand or face-up on the table? It’s infuriating, but we’ve all done it at one point or another. And not because we’re intentionally trying to ignore the person in front of us, but because we just don’t realize what we are doing! That’s where the Checky app can help! It’s a phone habit tracker that logs how many times you check your phone in a day. According to a recent behavioral study, the average American checks their phone 344 times a day! Mind-blowing right?! Only when we’ve acknowledged the issue can we attack it.
Step 2: Temporarily mute all unneeded notifications on your phone
It’s not realistic for most of us to cut all ties with our handheld devices, especially if your business relies heavily on client interaction or social media engagement, but here are some ways to wean yourself off…Like Pavlov’s dog, we often have a visceral reaction to seeing that “like” pop up on our latest IG post, or our hearts flutter a bit when our crush slides into our DMs. The tech industry spends millions to keep us hooked to our smartphones, but as the old adage goes, “Outta sight, outta mind.” Challenge yourself to turn off notifications from social media apps, personal email accounts, etc. for at least a few hours a day and see how much of a weight is lifted. The iPhone Focus feature is a simple way to silence all or some notifications so you can keep distractions at bay during designated times of the day. It’s completely customizable and can be easily turned on or off at any time, so if you haven’t tried it, it may be just what you need to resist the urge to check check check.
Step 3: Make a pact to never check your phone while walking or driving
It’s no secret that smartphone use in cars is responsible for countless accidents and even deaths every day. If you really need to look at your screen while in transit on wheels or by foot, pull over. Bonus points for holding your phone eye-level as you fiddle, a surefire way to avoid the prevalent, painful condition known as text neck.
Practicing these simple steps will undoubtedly make you feel so much more alive and in tune. It’s amazing how much we miss throughout the day when we are looking down. In addition to keeping our heads up to combat straining our cervical spine, give Asé’s Muscle Gel Roll On a try to help soothe daily aches and pains.
