Tuesday, April 2, 2024

SMOMBIES....Smartphone zombies

Just other day I was talking to one of my friend...

 She is so amazing, knowledgeable , vibrant but still the success she deserves is eluding her.

So we went into our psychological chit chat ...n it was interesting 

I found out that most of  time she is on another imaginary, (apparently sometimes happy or sad) plateau that is not in sync with reality. Her attention span has been vastly reduced. . 

When probed further for reasons she  told that  she was looking for distractions or amusement on social media to ..

On deep probing I asked her why she keeps on checking her phone so much....she told it's part of her life she can't get away her hands from it....anymore

That's the time I realized she has become 

SMOMBIES


An easily digestible, upbeat, fun 10- to 15-second video clip on Instagram gives our brains a hit of dopamine, the neurotransmitter and hormone that our brains love and take in as a reward. As in the case of many addictions, this creates a feedback loop that pushes us to redo the things that give us pleasure. So, when a user does not like a video, they will constantly scroll to achieve the desired reward. This results in a significantly diminished attention span.

According to some studies, the average adult checks their phone 30 times a day and the average millennial checks over 150 times a day. Other studies have shown that one in 3 people check their phone before even getting out of bed in the morning, and many people interrupt their sleep to check for messages, leading to sleep deprivation and a reduced ability to pay attention. On average, a normal smartphone user now spends over six hours a day using their device, tapping, swiping or clicking more that 3000 times a day .. 

SMOMBIES ?

Mobile addiction, also known as smartphone addiction or mobile phone addiction, refers to a problematic and compulsive use of mobile devices, particularly smartphones, that negatively impacts various aspects of a person’s life. It is characterized by an excessive reliance on mobile devices and an inability to control or limit their usage, leading to detrimental effects on physical health, mental well-being, social relationships, and daily functioning.

It's not only affecting teenagers but everyone equally ...it is making people addict to scrolling and checking phone again and again without any reason.....it has become voluntary reaction of a person...

SYMPTOMS

Here are some common symptoms or signs of Mobile addiction:

Compulsive Use: Constantly feeling the urge to check the phone or use it, even in inappropriate or inconvenient situations.

Neglecting Responsibilities: Prioritizing phone use over essential responsibilities like work or personal relationships.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when unable to access or use the mobile device.

Loss of Time: Spending excessive amounts of time on the phone, leading to neglect of other activities or commitments.

Social Isolation: Preferring virtual interactions over real-life interactions, which can lead to social withdrawal and isolation.

Neglecting Self-Care: Ignoring basic self-care activities like eating, sleeping, or exercising due to excessive phone use.

Impact on Sleep: Using the phone late into the night, which can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to sleep problems.

Physical Symptoms: Experiencing physical discomfort such as eye strain, headaches, or neck pain due to excessive screen time.

Escapism: Using the phone as a way to escape from stress, anxiety, or emotional issues.

Neglected Interests: Giving up hobbies or interests in favor of spending more time on the phone.


How can smartphone addiction impact your life?

Cell phone overuse can result in a number of consequences that can impact negatively on a person’s social life as well as their emotional and mental wellbeing.

 Here are some of the signs of cellphone addiction to look out for:

  • A feeling of anxiety when your phone isn’t in reach or you don’t have cell phone service.
  • Phone use interferes with your daily activities, chores, and tasks.
  • Smartphone usage has ruined your vacation with family or spoiled social events with friends.
  • Experiencing injuries or harmful effects due to cell phone usage, such as neck pain or eye strain.
  • Losing sense of time due to cell phone distractions.
  • Withdrawal from the physical world, distancing oneself from friends, family, and activities once enjoyed.
  • Smartphone usage has put an important relationship or profession in jeopardy.
  • Previous attempts to limit cell phone usage haven’t succeeded.

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, it may mean you’re experiencing cell phone addiction, and it’s important to take action to avoid any further negative consequences from happening to you.


 Deaddiction Strategies:

1. Maintain Device Diversity

Your smartphone is an innovation that  that can substitute books, newspapers, TV, gaming consoles, computers, and a multitude of other tools. 

The convenience alone makes this easy to do, but remember to vary up your mediums – aim to read a book a month as a challenge and prioritize your non-screen based hobbies wherever possible!

Diversify Your Activities

Make your life more enriching by engaging in a variety of experiences, and keep your smartphone locked away during family dinners, or important meetings.

Set Screen Time Boundaries (and stick to them)

An excellent strategy to manage your smartphone usage is to limit your screen time and monitor how much you’re using your phone across the day.

Make a schedule and limit yourself to a couple of hours a day ....

Disable Distractions

Notifications can be incredibly tempting and disruptive. Consider disabling alerts to resist the urge to dive into endless scrolling sprees. If you’re worried about missing out on important updates, start by simply turning off the sound.

Better still, while you’re working, keep the phone out of your eye line. 

Establish Daily Phone-free Periods

There are plenty of moments during the day when your smartphone isn’t necessary. Designate phone-free times, like during meals or family time, to reduce digital distractions and create healthier habits. You’ll notice that your phone dependency lessens while you spend more quality time with loved ones.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

An effective strategy to reduce any smartphone addiction is to keep your device out of immediate reach. Place your device on mute, tuck it away in a drawer, or turn it off completely to avoid the constant distraction that it creates.

Keep the Bedroom Device-free

 Keeping your cell within arm’s reach while in bed can tempt you to check it before sleeping or right after waking up. Keeping your bedroom device-free can help in reducing your phone addiction and promoting better sleep hygiene.

Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones

You’re not going to be able to put the phone away if it’s filling a boredom void. Consider making a list of some goals and achievements that you would love to fulfill and see how you might use the time you spend scrolling to meet them! It could be improving your reading, learning a language or brushing up on cooking skills.

Prioritize Real Interactions

Engage more with the people around you instead of connecting with them solely through digital platforms. Embrace the beauty of face-to-face conversations and shared experiences. The more time you spend with the people you love without the distraction of your smartphone, the more fulfilled and happy you will feel. 

Change Your Mindset

 A simple shift in mindset can significantly influence your relationship with your phone. Before reaching out for your device, ask yourself whether it’s genuinely urgent or if it can wait. Are you feeding a growing cell phone addiction, or is it a really necessary use of your time?


Recognize that addiction often surfaces when there are issues elsewhere in your life. Leading a fulfilling life, with effective coping mechanisms like good communication with loved ones, can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing any type of addiction. 


Therefore, the lasting solution to smartphone addiction isn’t necessarily about the phone itself—it’s about changing your priorities and investing more time in the people around you.



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