Feeling anxious when you are away from your smartphone, having to check the device every time and do not separate from the device for anything, are signs that you may be addicted to the device. It may sound like bullshit, but the subject is serious, so much so that the subject has been increasingly studied by scientists and psychologists.
This dependence on electronic devices and for being always connected can generate pathologies like depression, stress, not to mention that distances people. After all, no one likes to talk to someone who does not take his eyes off the little screen he holds in his hands.
And this is not uncommon to happen. Scenes witnessed on a daily basis, such as in a restaurant where people sitting at the table are all tinkering with appliances, whether they are checking in, updating their social networks or talking to other people who are not present at the scene, or shows or even at home, are there to prove what I’m saying. If you have someone, or rather something that is not lacking in these places, are smartphones. They no longer take on the role of co-stars, to become protagonists of these scenes of real life.
It seems easy to leave the addiction in smartphones, but it is not always so and many people end up looking for medical help to get rid of this addiction, including getting into clinics. But you do not have to let it get to this point. If you want to become less dependent on the mobile device and take complete control of your life without having a mini infarction when you realize that your cell phone battery is running out and there is no outlet nearby, check out these five tips that we have specially separated for you.
1 – Monitor the time you spend on your smartphone.
The first step in tackling any kind of problem is to assume that you have a problem. Monitoring how much time you spend on your smartphone can give you a shock of reality and show that yes, it’s time to shorten the period with the screen on. For this, there are some applications that can help you.
One of them is Menthal, available free of charge to the Andriod Operating System. Developed by a group of German scholars, in addition to pointing out how many hours a day the user is tinkering with the cell phone, he informs them that his level of use is exaggerated and still accuses the most accessed applications. The only obstacle to the app is that it is necessary to be part of a waiting list to participate and to wait for an invitation, via email, so that it can be used.
For iPhone users, the app tip is the Moment. It is possible to create daily navigation limits on the device. Among the data counted, it shows how many times the user picks up the phone per day, identifies where he/she goes with the cell phone and issues alerts to notify that the daily use limit is coming to an end. Everything can be customized according to the needs of each person.
2 – Turn off notifications
You even try to focus on other activities, but the mobile screen does not stop blinking announcing the arrival of news. You are going to take a quick peek at those who enjoyed or commented on your photo and that’s it, there you go half an hour in the blink of an eye.
No notifications, no need to spend all the time checking the phone, right? But if at first you find the attitude very drastic, the tip is to silence the device to stop the audio alerts. This will help to restrain the desire to check the device whenever it beeps.
3 – Do not use your smartphone as an alarm clock
Using the device as an alarm clock is something really common. But, the attitude can hurt those who can not stay near the cell phone without giving at least a peek. The problem is that even if the intention is to check quickly, the fact of being with the device at the side of the bed instigates to be stirring, is that what was to be instant, yields more hours of navigation and less for sleep.
4 – Meals without a smartphone
One tip to show that you are stronger than the desire to stay connected all the time is to leave the smartphone aside at mealtime. Take the time to chat with those around you, or if you are alone, to savor the food or snack. Moving the smartphone removes the attention of the moment, not to mention that it is not very hygienic.
5 – Make other activities
Doing an activity that gives you pleasure is a good alternative to set aside your smartphone. Go hiking, read a good book, anyway, do what you want. But at that moment, just enjoy the activity and forget the device.
Bonus
6 – Make technology stops
Start by checking your smartphone for one minute. View all notifications, check messages, links, social networks. Then set the alarm for 15 minutes and silence the device. Place it face down with the screen.
When the alarm sounds, check the unit for one more minute. Keep doing this until it feels natural that you are not missing something when you ignore the notifications from your phone.
Add five minutes to your technology stop every week. With this, soon you will already be able to not check the handset for an hour or even longer, without getting anxious or nervous about what you may be missing out on.
By following these tips, it will certainly make it easier to put your phone aside and thus make it easier to enjoy life in offline mode. Do you have any tips that help keep smartphone addiction away? Tell us in the comments!
