Scrolling, eating, drinking, more scrolling, Netflix, porn, TV, even more scrolling…
This is called living in state of excessive consumption. Mindless activity that gives us temporary ‘pleasure’. This is why the most people are addicted to consumption. Bud do you know what this is doing to our brain? It is frying out dopamine receptors. Bombarding your mind & nervous system with way too much. This why you can’t focus. can’t sleep, loose motivation, struggle to be present etc. Humans are not meant to be exposed the amount of stimulation the modern world brings. Which is why wise advise is excercise moderation.
Moderation means not overdoing them. Remember you are happy as long as there isn’t any kind of painful experience. The wise man drinks little to attain pleasure but not so much as to cause himself hangover (pain).
Cell phone Addiction – Warning signs & symptoms and Management
Cell phone usage is unavoidable nowadays, though it is a highly productive tool which helps us both personal and professional aspects but increased cell phone usage are quite common due to global invasion of social media and video games in each individual lives. Cell phone addiction is usual in many people lives, even some people not aware about that they are addicted to phone. This article we will see about Signs and symptoms of cell phone addiction, what happens when you are addicted to phones and steps to overcome from cell phone addiction.
What is Cell phone addiction?
Cell phone addiction is a disorder involving compulsive usage of cell phones despite of its potential negative consequences. Other terms which include in to cell phone addiction is “Nomophobia” which means fear of being without mobile phone and Internet overuse problem and Internet addiction disorder.
What happens when you use phone continuously? or what happens in your body when you are addicted to phone?
Physiological effect of cell phone addiction:
Overuse of phone or cell phone addiction leads to “GABA” dysfunction and loss of Grey matter in brain. GABA is a inhibitory neurotransmitter known for calming effect and even it can control fear & Anxiety. Studies showed that increased cell phone usage has an impact on GABA production which disturbs its function too.
Similarly, Grey matter is responsible for enabling individual to control movement, memory and emotion, So loss of grey matter disturbs its routine function.
The above significant effect resembles like features of substance addiction.
Psychological effect of Cell phone addiction:
Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Stress, increased loneliness, Attention deficit, Restlessness, creativity blocks, insecurity, Anger, relationship conflicts, Sex addiction, porn addiction are the possible psychological effect of Cell phone addiction.
Physical effect of Cell phone addiction:
Digital Eye strain, Neck and back strain, Sleeplessness, Obesity, Hormonal imbalance due to radiation, Male infertility.
What are the warning signs and symptoms of Cell phone addiction?
The above physiological, psychological and physical effects are considered to be the symptoms of cell phone addiction. But we have to segregate that the above symptoms are effects of over use of cell phones or cell phone addiction i.e the root cause for above disorders or symptoms is cell phone usage. But there are some signs and symptoms which happen prior to the effect which we often ignore or not giving importance to that. They are
- When you check your social media updates seriously while eating or while sitting in the bathroom
- Keep on watching videos by ignoring your basic routine like sleeping, taking food or drinking water.
- You love to be with phone rather than going outside with your friends.
- Isolation from loved ones, feeling of lack of connection
- You feel angry or irritated when phone usage is interrupted.
- Difficultly in completing your personal and professional work
- More time on phone
- Getting up at night and check the phone
- Phone is totally tied to you even during sleep
- Comparison mode
How to use mobile as an effective tool without getting addicted?
Social Media blackouts are like ‘Itch, scratch, and bleed solution’.
Isn’t a person on the sofa with a mobile and a person lying passed out with excess alcohol consumption, look the same?
Self-education, Self-consciousness, and Self-awareness is an essential qualification to use any tool. That is the eligibility required to use any tool consciously not compulsively. Then, there would be an effective usage of mobile as a tool similar to stick in hands of the caveman. E.g. Inexperienced kid can poke a stick in a beehive and get punished for the act. There won’t be an addiction.
Practice self-awareness by being alone. Spend time with yourself alone for a minimum of 1 hour. Start observing your thoughts, emotions, habits, words, and actions. To be good at something one needs to practice consistently. The same goes for the effective handling of tools. One needs to convert knowledge into skill to gain experience and expertise.
How many people use mobile consciously with a purpose like this?
- Know the purpose/objective to access a mobile device
- Always start with Search feature in app with right question using relevant keywords.
- Review the value of search result meeting your goal/need.
- Take notes or review usefulness of search result
- Enrich your life using wisdom received else discard results and lock mobile and keep aside.
We have age & eligibility limits for educational courses, marriage, alcohol consumption, 2-wheeler, and 4-wheeler driving license, movie censorship, etc. Until there is legal regulation enforced, let there be responsible and accountable members of society to take ownership to manage members of family, organization, teams, and groups so tools are not misused and worst (self) abused.
Appreciate your views and thoughts!
