My Phone: Friend or Foe? Cultivating Healthy Smartphone Habits for Optimal Wellbeing
It is no news that we live in a digital age, and our lives have been greatly enhanced by the numerous benefits that this has offered us. Smartphones have revolutionized the way we work, learn, connect, and play. They have made information available and accessible at our fingertips, helped manage our schedules, prepare for our tests, order food, and many more, making tasks that were once cumbersome effortless and efficient. There is no doubt about the undeniable benefits these pocket-sized devices have awarded an individual, but it is also important to consider the potential risks that overuse can present to our well-being.
These devices have become inseparable companions for the younger generation, rivalled only by the steadfast presence of their own shadow. However, with increased reliance comes a host of habits and behaviours that can either support or detract from our overall well-being. Today, we will explore the dichotomy between healthy smartphone habits and their less beneficial counterparts. By examining these contrasting behaviours, we can glean valuable insights into optimizing our relationship with technology for improved general well-being
BAD HABIT
Juggling multiple tasks while using your smartphone. For example, cooking a meal, while watching a YouTube video, and replying to text messages. Wow!
HEALTHY HABIT
Mindful usage. Multitasking will only lead to divided attention and decreased productivity. Focus on one task at a time and schedule phone-checking breaks for concentration.
BAD HABIT
Excessive screen time. Ever feel like your phone has a mind of its own, constantly demanding your attention? Well…
HEALTHY HABIT
Setting time limits. Your phone does not have a mind of its own, it is only a product of your screen time habits. Allocating specific time slots for smartphone use helps maintain a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities, reducing the risk of addiction. This will help promote overall mental and emotional wellness.
BAD HABIT
Using your phone right before bedtime—circadian rhythm, is that you dancing away?
HEALTHY HABIT
Adopt a phone-free bedtime routine. Using your smartphone right before you sleep or until you sleep, is not a healthy habit as it can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to fatigue and diminished cognitive functions. You must cultivate the habit of keeping your phone out of reach when it is bedtime for better sleep quality.
BAD HABIT
Staring at your phone screen for too long. Don’t you love your eyes? Give them a break!
HEALTHY HABIT
Adopt the 20-20-20 rule. Prolonged staring at a phone screen can cause eyestrains, dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and potential long-term damage to vision. The 20-20-20 rule states that you look away from the screen every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It is also important to employ eye-friendly screen settings like blue-light filters, and reduced screen brightness to promote healthier vision and in the long run good health and well-being.
Ultimately, whether your phone is a trusted ally or a potential adversary hinges on the habits you cultivate. By prioritizing mindfulness, balance, and intentional usage, we can steer our digital relationship with our smartphones toward a harmonious and healthy one, harnessing it for optimal well-being.
Mercy Ayoade
