Freedom from the smartphone: 6 steps to getting rid of phone addiction

Has your smartphone turned you into a mobile zombie? A new study by Japanese scientists has shown that the phone can really make us "wandering dead". People who wander through the streets, buried in gadgets, become a real problem and create emergencies. In addition, smartphone addiction has a negative impact on a person's mental health. In order not to lose yourself in the online space, it is enough to follow our simple tips.By itself, the mobile phone does not cause attachment. A person is drawn to the Internet, which he gets access to through the device. When viewing information on social networks, the body begins to produce dopamine-the hormone of joy. It is he who satisfies our ego and makes us increasingly stick to the screen.

You can get rid of phone addiction in just six steps. The main thing is to be patient and clearly follow certain rules.

As with any addiction, you must first recognize that you have one. We are not talking about self-flagellation and torment of conscience: you just need to determine how often you use your smartphone. You can do this by checking the function in the settings or by downloading a special application that will give you the result.

Try to find out exactly when you use your phone the most, and when you put it aside. We often turn to gadgets when we feel lonely or bored. This way you will understand what exactly makes you pick up a smartphone, and you will be able to come up with other ways to occupy yourself with something useful.

There is a close connection between the phone and poor sleep. In part, the quality of sleep is affected by the blue light of the screen, which triggers the production of serotonin in the body and sets it up to wake up. Before going to bed, the room should be dimmed so that the body produces melatonin, which causes drowsiness.

An important role is played by the content that we view before we go to bed. It is best to stop using the phone an hour before bedtime and within an hour after waking up.

When communicating with your significant other or friends, do not sit in your smartphone and ask them to put their phones aside too. Social contact is much more important than virtual reality. Giving up gadgets helps to establish a close relationship and strengthen relationships.

At first glance, it seems that giving up the smartphone is the easiest way to solve the problem. But a sharp breakup with your favorite gadget can negatively affect your well-being. It is best to start with small intervals of time. For example, leaving your phone at home for 45 minutes while going out for a walk.

Soon you will feel that the temporary rejection of the smartphone allows you to see the world in bright colors, relaxes and relieves tension. A little later, you will want to postpone it for a longer time.

The locked screen is the first thing we see when we pick up the phone. In 2016, research results showed that we touch the smartphone at least 2,600 times a day. Now these figures have increased.

Our attraction to gadgets is often unconscious. The correct background image on the screen can come to the rescue. Set, for example, a photo of your child to remind yourself every time that you need to spend more time with your family, and not sit on the phone.

Children are more likely to become addicted to gadgets, because their bodies are more active in the production of dopamine, which is responsible for mood. They live in the moment, not plan long-term actions like adults. Therefore, parents should teach them self-control.

You are an example for your child. The model of behavior of the father and mother should be a model for children. If you don't use the phone too often, then they won't sit in the smartphone for hours on end. Come up with common interesting activities and spend more time with your family, rather than with gadgets.

Meanwhile, smartphone users are increasingly experiencing finger deformity. People started noticing the defect and sharing photos on their social media pages.