The biggest distraction on earth the mobile phone.

 

 

This blog is about a super useful invention that has changed the world. The mobile smartphone has advanced the world in many ways that are positive. I remember the days when I would que up in the bank to pay a bill. (Showing my age here aren’t I) this monthly chore would take-up my entire lunch break. Nowadays we can pay a bill within seconds on our phones at any time no matter where we are.

These handy gadgets over time have become an indispensable part of life. According to recent marketing research 92% of the population are smartphone users. However, our smartphones have become so useful, they have started to cause problems for some of us.

I have a friend for the purpose of this blog let’s call him Anton. My friend is married and met his wife, using online dating on his smartphone. Recently I was at Anton’s house he knows I’m a counsellor, and that I work with children and young people. He will often talk to me about his children (Not that I have asked him too). Anton was complaining to me about his daughter. “I can’t get her to do anything she is glued to that phone 24-7”. While explaining the situation to me, Anton was on his own phone within two minutes. I pointed this out to him and found it very amusing😊. Talking about this further Anton was not even aware of the fact, he had picked up his phone.

During past counselling sessions with some of my clients, who struggled with finding time for important things. We have looked at their screentime. The results are often very surprising, the look of dread on a person’s face. When I suggest we check their screentime always makes me smile.

I listened to a podcast about this recently by Dr Andreas Hansen. It was a good listen he explained, social media companies and app designers are battling for our attention. Smartphones were designed to keep us using them. When we receive a new follower or a like, this increases our dopamine levels. Dr Hansen book called “The Attention Fix” was written on this very subject.

If we get into a pattern of spending time on our phones. When we don’t necessarily want to be using them looking at things. That don’t make us happy or feel good, this type of usage is called Doomscrolling.

“Doomscrolling is the act of spending too much time reading or watching negative news or content online. This can also happen watching short form videos or reels.”

It is important to reflect on how our phone usage can affect our mood. Starting the day reading negative news can impact our mood and motivation.

The biggest problem I have observed with our use of smartphones, is how they affect our presence and attention. I went out for a meal recently and there were a large group of people together near us. They looked like they were having good time but some of them were constantly on their phone screens. As human beings’ connection is particularly important for us, being part of a group and spending time with people we care about. Makes us feel good using our phones, can take our minds away from that moment.

Here are some tips to help us manage our mobile phone usage.

• Ways to stay in control of your smartphone.

 

• 1) Regularly check and think about your screen time. E.G If you have spent 6 hours on your phone today. Does that sit comfortably with you, if the answer is no what needs to change?

 

• 2) Being present in the moment when you are in a social situation. Can you put your phone in a drawer. Or leave it in your jacket or handbag, allowing you to focus on enjoying that situation. Using your phone can take your mind elsewhere.

 

• 3) Become intentional if you are going for a walk to clear your head. Do you need to take your phone. We can also block out periods of time where we don’t use our phones. E.g. On Thursday morning I am going to put my phone away and focus fully on my new project.

 

• 4) If you are feeling low or going through a challenging time. Consider avoiding social media apps Instagram, Facebook Etc. Everyone posts their best bits and highlights of life. This might make you feel like your situation is worse, if it appears everyone else is having a great time.

 

• 5) Turn off your notifications. Out smartphones let us know if someone has sent us a message. Or has posted something we might find interesting. This temps us to check things as soon as they pop up. Chances are we might also look at other content while we are already on the phone. Spending additional time scrolling when we have something else, we should be doing.

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog. I have written it to increase awareness of how our devices. Can impact on our time and attention, if we take some time to reflect on how use them it can’t be a bad thing.

Ryan