What? Put Down My Cell Phone? No!!!
It’s time to unplug for mental clarity, better sleep, less stress and better relationships!
Chances are you check your phone for messages, alerts, or calls even when your device isn’t ringing or vibrating. You probably sleep with your phone next to your bed to be sure you don’t miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night. And you likely feel lost without your cell phone, reports a Pew Internet & American Life survey.
In fact, the average cell phone user checks their phone 110 times a day, with the highest users hitting the 900 mark, says Locket, an Android app that has collected data on over 150,000 users.
Yes, we are addicted to cell phones.
And the cost of this addiction to our personal well-being is substantial. The tethering to our cell phones interferes with our mental health, physical health and even our relationships.
- The constant barrage of notifications increases our stress level, likely contributing to high blood pressure, headaches, eye strain, and anxiety.
- The anticipation of messages keeps us constantly checking our phones and creates anxiety.
- Cell phone use interferes with human relationships. Studies show that in face-to-face interactions a phone present made the other person think negatively about the cell phone holder. (buzzfeed article)
- The incessant connection to one’s phone makes us less inclined to participate in conversation with those around us. We become less aware.
- Our dependence on our phones as entertainment is a constant source of distraction, making it difficult to be with oneself in a quiet, still, disconnected space.
- When we don’t have our phones we become bored, antsy and depressed.
Clients often tell me they want to feel less controlled by their phones. They want to take back their peace and quiet.
The key? Baby steps and commitment.
8 Ways To Kick Your Cell Phone Addiction
Make No Cell-Phone Zones — Make a pact with other members of your household no cell phones at the table. Ever. Live alone? Put down the electronics, set the table, light a candle and enjoy your meal. You will taste your food, remember what you ate, and be more aware of how much you’re eating.
Bring On The Zen — Introduce meditation, yoga, tai chi or one of the other meditative practices into your daily routine — even if it’s for only 10 minutes it will slow you down, bring your awareness back to your body and reap a myriad of health benefits, including better concentration, lower blood pressure, reduced stress, better mood and better sleep.
Home From Work? Just Say “No” — Implement limits and boundaries in relation to work-related email and messages. Just because someone sends you an email at 10pm in the evening does not mean you have to answer it. When you answer emails you set the precedent that you are available. When does your work day end? You decide: “I will not answer any work-related emails after 7pm in the evening or on the weekends.” And then stick to it. If the mere thought of that makes you anxious create an auto-responder letting people know you will answer their email first thing in the morning.
Blackout Periods — Schedule “No Cell-Phone” Periods during your day. Start small — even 10 minutes. Put it on your calendar (or set an alarm) and disconnect for that time. After a week increase the time, or add another Black Out period to your day. Week by week increase the time until you are able to disconnect for several hours a day.
No Fly Zone — When you travel for holiday set your phone to “no data roaming” so that you only receive messages when you are connected with Wifi. This will limit the amount of new communication that is coming your way and provide a more peaceful journey.
Your Boots Are Made For Walking — Take a walk and leave your phone at home. Look up, look down, pay attention to your surroundings. Taking a walk is a great way to boost your mood, find solutions to challenges, and increase productivity.
Engage With The World — Make a decision to not use your phone in the presence of others. Pay attention to your conversations, make eye contact and give 100% to the other person/s you are with.
Sleep It Off — Do not use your cell phone as an alarm clock. Leave it outside your room. You might consider implementing a sleep routine to help you wean — reading, or listening to music.
Put down my cell phone? The answer is clear. Just say “yes.”
Rachel says
So important! I take regular “switch off” breaks, one day a week and a few hours a day. My energy recovered when I started doing that.
Melissa Rapoport says
Good for you, Rachel! Thank you for sharing your strategy. xo
Peggy says
Hell Yeah! I’m way too attached to my phone but I do have no cell zones. Morning yoga for starters. When I train. Dinner time. I’m reaching the point where all I want is my phone to be a phone. I go through periods where I delete all the social media apps. Lately, my new thing is to turn off all app notifications. No more buzzing or chirping if I have a new tweet or facebook notification. That helps a lot. I’ve also learned to put my phone in airplane mode during work hours. I can still listen to music but I’m not online 🙂
Melissa Rapoport says
Oh, I love the idea of turning off notifications for Facebook and twitter. That’s a great strategy! And airplane mode during work hours? Another good one. Thank you for sharing!
Donna, Walks In Spirit says
Great article! I already find I instinctively practice many of these. I take walks without my phone so I can enjoy nature, my family and my thoughts. I use airplane mode when I want a little r&r. My challenge one: turning off my instinct to respond to biz questions after hours.
Natasha Botkin says
I so agree with this! I was recently at a party and others had out their cell phones. When asked why I didn’t have mine out. I replied because I’m respecting my time with you. They all put their’s away.
Melissa Rapoport says
I so love this, Natasha! Good for you!
Pamela says
Brilliant, all awesome suggestions! Everyone would benefit from reading this article Melissa. Our cell phones have so much functionality the addiction runs deep. I’ve been using my cell phone camera when out on nature walks, but I think it’s time to start carrying my digital camera again instead! I love Peggy’s suggestion to use airplane mode.
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) says
I’m thinking about the physical effects today. You mentioned eyestrain, but look around you when you are out at all the people looking down at their phones. This is not good for our necks, people (me included)! I envisioned today some kind of holder that would go around our necks or chests that would hold the phone in front of our heads so we could use it without that forward bend. I have notifications off on almost everything on the iOS devices, but I have never taken my daily walk without my phone. I do listen to radio or music more than look at it on my walk though.
Great reminders!