Oh, the smartphone. This incredible device that gives us access to boatloads of information, allows us to communicate with our friends and family, as well as provide endless hours of entertainment.
At the same time, they represent the ultimate drug in the world of digital addiction. Many people fall victim to the small hits of dopamine that come from the “check” of the smartphone. With the average person checking their smartphone close to every 10 minutes. This reliance on smartphone checks can cause chemical imbalances in the brain, leading to anxiety and depression issues.
And while I’d assume that readers of this blog are much better “average” in how often we check our phones, most of us still probably use smartphones throughout the day.
A Day Without Your Phone
So, I want you to try something with me today – Leave your phone behind.
Leave it on the charger. Put it on the table on the other side of the room. Just put it somewhere else, so that it’s not with you as you go about your day.
At the end of the day, reflect back on the experience.
If this did not impact you, it’s likely the case that you have a healthy relationship with your smartphone. You have not become addicted to the “check” of the smartphone.
If this did impact you, consider in what ways. Perhaps you felt the urge to check your phone throughout the day. Maybe you felt like you were missing something important. Or maybe it was a freeing experience, and you felt like you gained some additional time in your day.
No matter what camp you fall in, it’s a good exercise to try. The act of going without things in our lives is a simple way to see their impact on our wellbeing.
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This post is Day 11 of 21 Days of Simple.
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