It may be hard to imagine a time when people did not have smartphones in their pockets, and the only way to call someone when on-the-go was to find a pay phone. Fast-forward a few decades, and we are now fully dependent on our phones for communication, entertainment, and much more.
We are now constantly scrolling, posting, liking, and texting all day long. As technology has become deeply embedded in daily life, we are failing to notice its potential negative effects.
So, how does spending too much time on your phone affect your mental and physical health? And what steps can you take to counteract these negative effects and live a more balanced lifestyle? We will examine the physical and mental implications of excessive smartphone usage – particularly among young adults – and discuss ways to fight back against smartphone addiction.
How Does Excessive Smartphone Usage Affect Your Health?
One of the most prominent physical health issues associated with excessive smartphone use is sleep disruption. The blue light emitted by smartphone screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Individuals who use their phones late at night often experience difficulty falling asleep, leading to insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality. This can result in chronic fatigue, decreased cognitive function, and impaired academic performance.
Additionally, prolonged screen time can cause digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms such as dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. The continuous focus on screens can also contribute to more severe vision issues, including myopia (nearsightedness). Studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of digital eye strain, particularly among young people, partly attributed to the extended use of smartphones and other digital devices.
Excessive smartphone use often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, as individuals spend long hours sitting or lying down while engaging with their devices. This lack of physical activity can be a risk factor for various health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal issues – such as “text neck,” a common neck condition caused by having your head in a forward position and looking down at a mobile device for extended periods of time.
Poor posture while using smartphones can also lead to back pain and other musculoskeletal problems. Over time, these issues can become chronic and significantly affect an individual’s quality of life.
How is Excessive Smartphone Usage Hurting Your Mental Health?
While spending too much time on your phone can harm your physical health, plenty of evidence shows that it can also harm your mental health and emotional well-being. The invisible yet incredibly harmful effects of excessive smartphone use can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Some of the most commonly observed negative effects of smartphones on a person’s mental health include:
- Depression: Research has established a link between excessive smartphone use and depression, especially among adolescents and young adults. Social media platforms can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and low self-esteem. The constant exposure to curated, idealized portrayals of others’ lives can lead to negative self-comparisons and a sense of dissatisfaction with one’s own life. Furthermore, the addictive nature of social media can result in social isolation, reducing face-to-face interactions that are crucial for emotional well-being.
- Anxiety: The constant connectivity provided by smartphones can lead to heightened levels of anxiety. Adolescents and young adults may feel pressured to stay connected and respond to messages immediately, leading to a “fear of missing out” (FOMO) and a constant state of alertness. This perpetual need for connectivity can prevent individuals from fully engaging in real-life activities and experiencing the present moment, thereby increasing anxiety levels.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Excessive smartphone use can lead to behaviors resembling OCD. These include the compulsive checking of notifications, social media feeds, and messages. The repetitive nature of these behaviors can reinforce compulsive habits, making it difficult for individuals to disengage from their devices. This constant checking can interfere with daily activities, academic responsibilities, and personal relationships.
- Attention Deficit: The rapid consumption of information and the multi-tasking often required by smartphone use can impair attention and focus. Adolescents and young adults may find it difficult to concentrate on tasks requiring sustained attention, such as studying or working. This can lead to decreased academic performance and reduced ability to engage in deep, meaningful activities.
Comorbidity of Smartphone Usage and Mental Health Issues
Comorbidity is a term used to describe when a person has more than one physical or mental condition at the same time. Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and OCD are frequently found together in individuals who exhibit problematic smartphone use. This comorbidity can exacerbate the severity of each condition and complicate the treatment process.
Adolescents and young adults experiencing depression are more likely to use smartphones as a coping mechanism, seeking distraction or validation through social media. However, this can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and further deepen depressive symptoms. The cycle of seeking temporary relief through smartphone use and experiencing heightened anxiety and depression can be difficult to break.
The compulsive behaviors associated with smartphone use can contribute to anxiety, as individuals may feel a constant need to check their devices. This can lead to heightened stress and anxiety levels, creating a vicious cycle of compulsive checking and increased anxiety.
Finally, the presence of OCD-like behaviors can aggravate depressive symptoms, as individuals may feel overwhelmed by their inability to control their compulsions. The persistent use of smartphones can provide temporary relief but ultimately contributes to a sense of powerlessness and decreased self-esteem, further deepening depressive symptoms.
Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?
How many times an hour do you check your phone, and how much time do you spend on it every time you get a notification? How long can you go without using your phone, and do you feel anxious without it? If so, you may be one of millions of people struggling with smartphone addiction.
Smartphone addiction is characterized by an excessive and compulsive use of smartphones that interferes with daily life. It shares many similarities with other behavioral addictions, such as gambling addiction, including the inability to control usage and the experience of withdrawal symptoms when not using the device.
Symptoms of smartphone addiction include spending increasing amounts of time on the device, neglecting responsibilities and personal relationships, and experiencing anxiety or irritability when separated from the smartphone. Individuals may also attempt to reduce their usage without success and continue using their smartphones despite negative consequences.
Research suggests that smartphone addiction can lead to changes in brain structure and function. Similar to other addictions, it can affect the brain’s reward system, reinforcing the behavior and making it difficult for individuals to break the cycle of addiction. The constant stimulation and instant gratification provided by smartphones can alter neural pathways, making individuals more susceptible to addictive behaviors.
Breaking a smartphone addiction can be challenging, as our phones and social media apps are designed to be addictive and constantly steal our attention. But there are simple steps you can take to start cutting back on how much time you spend on your phone every day.
How Can You Break Your Smartphone Addiction?
So now that you know being glued to your phone is likely causing you more harm than good, it may be the right time to consider implementing a few simple strategies to tackle your smartphone addiction. Here are some ideas you can try:
- Set usage limits: Try establishing clear boundaries for smartphone use, such as setting specific times of the day for checking social media or using apps and designating “phone-free” zones and times, such as during meals or before bedtime.
- Monitor usage: Tracking screen time using apps or built-in smartphone features can provide insights into your usage patterns and help identify areas for improvement. Once you are aware of how many times you use your phone a day and how many hours you spend on it, you’ll be able to set goals to reduce your usage.
- Engage in phone-free activities: Finding activities that do not involve smartphones can help break the cycle of addiction. These can include hobbies, crafts, physical exercise, socializing with friends and family, and outdoor activities. Developing new interests and skills can provide a sense of fulfillment and reduce the reliance on smartphones for entertainment.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Instead of reaching for your phone when you are feeling anxious or bored, try practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation. These practices can reduce stress and anxiety and serve as a healthier coping mechanism for mental health issues such as depression.
- Turn off all unnecessary notifications: If you can’t stop the urge to check your phone every time you hear a notification, try turning off notifications for non-essential apps. For example, you can set your phone only to notify you if certain contacts call you or text you, but you can turn off social media notifications and only open those apps during certain times of the day.
- Try a digital detox: This is a temporary break from smartphones that can help reset usage patterns and provide a fresh perspective on the role of technology in your life. You can do a digital detox in many different ways, such as spending a whole day or weekend without using your phone or staying off all social media networks for a week.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
Sometimes, a digital addiction is just a warning sign for deeper mental health issues that need to be addressed by a professional. A qualified mental health professional can be crucial in helping you understand the underlying causes of your addiction, identify triggers, set realistic goals, and develop coping mechanisms to manage your smartphone use and achieve a more balanced lifestyle.
There is no shame in seeking help! If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or addiction – including smartphone addiction – therapy can play a crucial role in helping you reduce stress and anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.
At APN, you can find a team of trained mental health professionals who are ready to help you by treating the whole person and not just your symptoms. APN uses a holistic approach to identify the cause of your symptoms and give you the tools and treatment you need to achieve immediate relief and long-term remission. Whether you suffer from depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue or simply need support and strategies to change your habits or overcome a difficult chapter in your life, you can count on the professionals at APN every step of the way. Contact us at 424.644.6486 or complete our online contact form to learn more.
References
- Chu, Geoffrey C H et al. “Association between time spent on smartphones and digital eye strain: A 1-year prospective observational study among Hong Kong children and adolescents.” Environmental science and pollution research international vol. 30,20 (2023): 58428-58435. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-26258-0
- Rathod, Ashwini S et al. “Psychological Morbidities Associated With Excessive Usage of Smartphones Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Review.” Cureus vol. 14,10 e30756. 27 Oct. 2022, doi:10.7759/cureus.30756
- Schmitgen MM, Horvath J, Mundinger C, Wolf ND, Sambataro F, Hirjak D, Kubera KM, Koenig J, Wolf RC. Neural correlates of cue reactivity in individuals with smartphone addiction. Addict Behav. 2020 Sep;108:106422. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106422. Epub 2020 Mar 29. PMID: 32403056.