What is NOMOPHOBIA??
Nomophobia is short for 'no-mobile-phone-phobia' coined during a study in 2010 by the UK post office.
Simply put it is the ' fear of being out of contact with a mobile phone '.
Previously, mobile phones were used as a way of communication, but recently with the growth of internet enabled mobile phones or as we call it "smartphones" they have become an integral part of our lives.
Recent studies conducted in the US have reported the following:
- 66% or about two in three people, sleep with or next to their smart phones. (Among college students, it’s even higher).
- 34% admitted to answering their cell phone when they are with their partner.
- One in five people would rather go without shoes for a week than take a break from their phone.
- More than half never switch off their phone.
- A full 66 percent of all adults suffer from “nomophobia.”
According to a study (2013), youngsters in India comprise of the 51 million smart phone users and the rate of rise from the year 2012 was 90%.
What are the Warning Signs?
- Constantly checking your phone for no reason esp social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
- Thought of being without a phone or having a phone run out of battery leads to anxiety.
- Avoiding social interaction to spend more time on the phone.
- Waking up in the middle of the night to check or reply to pending messages.
- Getting distracted to the email or app notifications.
- Perception of phone vibrating or ringing even when its not called the "phantom phone vibration disorder"
Consequences of over usage of Smartphones:
- Strain in the eyes causing dryness, difficulty in focusing or double vision.
- Pain the fingers, neck & shoulders due to continuous browsing or texting leading to spinal or nervous issues in future.
- Disturbance in sleep
- Separation Anxiety
- Stress
- Decline in performance at work/ academics
- Reduced interactions & conversations when in company of family & friends.
Few ways to help curb the addiction:
- Track your phone use and progressively reduce the amount of time spent.
- Be sure there are daily times you turn off the cell phone and experience either face-to-face conversations or solitude.
- Balance screen time and in-person time each week. For every hour you invest in front of a screen, you invest in an activity with your family, or personal time like a hobby or fitness etc.
- Try a technology fast every month, where you actually go for a day or more without a computer, tablet or phone. You’ll feel liberated.
- Place your phone at least few feet away when you sleep at night. I realise you’ll have to get up to push “snooze,” but it’s helpful this way.
- Block your day in zones, where you spend time using technology, but also have blocks of time for organic, genuine interaction with family and friends and encourage others to do the same. Start #nophone policy once you are in company.
- Switch to Blue Light option post 8 pm , it helps soothe your eyes while using phone & turn off your phone an hour before going to bed to get restful sleep.
In summary , technology will continue to be a part of our lives.
The key is to find an optimum balance between technology and one's physical & mental health.