It’s very easy to become too dependent on your smartphone. While they are a great invention that saves time and keeps people connected, they easily distract us away from being present and in the moment. For many of us, we first saw smartphones in movies and TV shows like Star Trek. We’ve quickly moved to dependence.
Are you missing out when you are with people because you must be talking on your smartphone?
Here are signs that You Are Too Dependent on Your Smartphone:
You Check Your Device First Thing in the Morning
Do you wake up and grab your smartphone before you even get out of bed, so you can check up on your friends and see what they’re doing? If you’re signing on to Facebook before you even get out of bed in the morning, you may have a problem. Or are you checking the news?
You Don’t Pay Attention during Family Meals
Do you have the opportunity to spend time with real-life family, and when you do, you’re always looking down at your phone? Do you continuously share images of your food and other things without fully being present with your family? If you do this, you’re too dependent and maybe even addicted to the continuous stimulation of technology.
You Don’t Fully Participate in Events
You are invited to a live ball game, a live play, go bowling, or do things that you (in theory) enjoy doing, but you’re not paying attention because you’re too busy with your smartphone. If you’re not taking the time to fully participate with people when they’re right with you, and in doing events without the intrusion of electronics, this is a sign you’re too dependent.
When I went to a conference with my friend, she spent more time looking at her Facebook account than she did the speakers on the stage in front of her.
You Use Your Device in the Bathroom
Ever wonder why so many people drop their phones in the toilet? Well, that’s because they’re using their phones in the bathroom. Unless you’re out and about, there is absolutely no reason your phone should be with you in the bathroom. If you’re out and about, the phone should be stored someplace safe so that there is no chance for it to fall in the germy toilet.
You Report Daily Minutia to Everyone
If you’re taking pictures of every meal you eat (not just a special occasion meal), and you’re not a food blogger or a travel blogger, then you might not actually be enjoying your food as much as you could if you did not do that. You don’t need to share every aspect of your life with everyone. No one cares if you had Campbell’s soup for dinner.
You Refuse to Turn Your Phone Off at Night Because you are Too Dependent on Your Smartphone
Getting a good night’s sleep is imperative if you want to function properly during the day. But, many people are so dependent on their smartphones that they don’t turn them off while they’re sleeping. This is terrible for your ability to sleep peacefully at night. Even if you don not consciously remember hearing the phone, it still adversely affects your sleep cycles. And I’m sure you know that leaving a phone in bed is afire hazard.
Your Eyes Hurt
Today, many people suffer from seriously dry and painful eyes due to spending too much time in front of screens. In addition, screens like TVs, smartphones, and computers put off blue light that damages your eyes. They can affect your circadian rhythm, causing many people to have serious sleep disturbances like insomnia at night and sleepiness during the day.
If It Breaks, You Can’t Find Your Mom’s Phone Number
Many people have their entire lives inside their smartphones. If they lose it, they don’t know the phone numbers for their primary contacts. If you have that problem, you need to be sure to back up any information to the cloud or on paper so that you won’t be stranded if you find yourself without a phone in a strange place.
These are all signs that you may need to find a way to take a break from your smartphone. But, of course, everyone needs their smartphones these days for traveling, to be able to call for help, and even for banking or work. Therefore, you don’t need to get rid of it entirely. However, you should find ways to use it appropriately so that you’re not dependent on your smartphone.
Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs obtain more clients, make more money and achieve their business goals and dreams.
Pat’s related websites include the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.