Disconnect to Reconnect: Avoid the Scroll Hole

BORED?

I'm standing in line at the post office and I take out my phone. Was I going to do something important like send a text or start an email? No, I was simply going to scroll through images...filling time with nothing. Are you aware of how much you're on your phone? Has it gone from filling a gap of time to filling every gap of time?

Did you know: (https://www.psychguides.com/guides/cell-phone-addiction/)

• 60% of U.S. college students consider themselves to have a cell phone addiction.⁴
• 71% of people sleep with or next to their cell phones.⁵
• 35% of people think of their cell phones when they wake up while only 10% of people think of their significant others.⁵
• 44% of 18-24 year olds have fallen asleep with their phone in their hand.⁵
• 36% of people check their phones constantly, while 54% of young adults are checking constantly.⁵
• Nearly 40% of people never disconnect from cell phones, even while on vacation .⁵
• 44% of Americans say they couldn’t go a day without their mobile devices.⁵

What I don't have to tell you is constant cell phone use leads to depression, anxiety, the comparison game, etc...So, if we know how bad this makes us feel why do we continue with the behavior? It's called addiction. I know, I know, I told myself I wasn't addicted until I forgot my phone at home. Only then did I notice how often I would reach for my phone. Initially, it drove me crazy but after a few hours, I liked my newfound freedom.

Science has also proven that being bored spurs our creativity. If we are constantly flooded with images, emails, and texts there is no downtime for our brain. And don't check yourself out of this category of creativity...this isn't just geared for artists. Creativity can lead to problem-solving, which can help you overcome some of life's obstacles.

DEADLY!

On a more serious note, smartphone usage has crossed over to being dangerous. One day Russ and I were driving down a 2 lane road and as I watched each driver passing us by, I noticed they were looking down at their phone. It was shocking! Was I surprised people were looking at their phones while driving...not so much. What surprised me was almost every driver was looking down at their phone and barely looking at the road. There is no judgment here because I've been guilty of this behavior, as well.

A couple of years ago I read an AT&T ad that convicted me. It asked, "Why don't you put your phone down while you're driving if you know it's wrong?" The answer: "Because you're addicted." It wasn't until I read the ad that I finally accepted I was addicted and I needed to stop, including the times waiting at a red light.

REMEMBER THEM?!

So how is this cell phone usage affecting your relationship? Thought I'd never to get to this part, huh?! Is your downtime together spent looking at your phones? I completely understand if you're a parent and want to keep a close eye out on a text from the babysitter or your kid(s.)

But are you simply scrolling when your partner is with you? You are ignoring the person who is right in front of you. You've heard the saying, "Love the one you're with!" Remember this was the person you were crazy about, couldn't keep your hands off, love of your life. What are you escaping from? Work? Talk to them about it. Family issues? Talk to them about it. Your spouse? Then you really need to talk to them about it!!

Don't be like the masses - always looking down at your phone - look up and check back into present day reality. You'll start to see how many people are checked out looking down at their phones.

Your brain will thank you, your fellow drivers will thank you but even better yet your spouse will thank you.

Take the challenge and look up. We'd love to hear your observations about phone usage this week.

References

1. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/materialism
2. Cell Phone Addiction Similar to Compulsive Buying and Credit Card Misuse, According to Baylor Study. (2012, November 28). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=125458
3. Andreassen, C. (2015). Online Social Network Site Addiction: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Addict Rep Current Addiction Reports, 2015(2), 175-184. doi:10.1007/s40429-015-0056-9
4. Roberts, J., Yaya, L., & Manolis, C. (2014). The invisible addiction: Cell-phone activities and addiction among male and female college students. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3(4), 254-265. doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.015
5. Trends in Consumer Mobility Report. (2015). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from BAC Trends.