Anointedtoday.blogspot.com: Cellphones Vs. Reality

Are you on your cellphone constantly? Have you taken the time to monitor your cellphone time? Do you just monitor your children’s cellphone time and not monitor your own? Do you prefer the cellphone rather than one on one time with others? Think about it.

Did You Know?

I recall something that my ex once said. I told him I wanted to watch my favorite picture. I emphasized that this was the day it came on television. His response to me was, “Why watch your picture when you have the real thing right here in front of you?” That did make a lot of sense, because everything that we see on television is not reality but rather fantasy, sci-fi, and other fictional characters.

***Purpose***

1. Digital Isolation

I am constantly amazed when in a restaurant, doctor’s office, even in the grocery store, the amount of people that are constantly on their cellphones. Before cellphones we possibly engaged in actual conversation with others that were present with us. It appears that things have now changed. Psychlogytoday.com talks about a study that was done to track adolescents for three years as they transitioned into young adulthood and found that early problematic cellphone use predicted later depression.

2. Cellphone Distractions

Have you ever tried to engage in conversation with someone, only to observe that they were preoccupied with their mobile phone? They seemingly were glued to it. Possibly they should do a reality check. That can be very distracting. Cellphones help us, but overuse can turn them into major distractions.

3. Quality Time

Can you create a signal with your loved ones to indicate you need quality time? Yes you can. Just as individuals sometimes step away from television or work commitments to focus on quality time, one can also transition from digital engagement to real-world experiences. The newsroom.uscellular.com talks about this. They give examples such as, “Let’s put the phones away for a while,” or possibly using a non-verbal gesture.

4. Cellphone Day

I recall one day I went to an event. I would be at this event for at least 5 or 6 hours. When I discovered I forgot my cellphone, I was devastated. I literally felt naked. I could not imagine living in the moment. I found myself reaching for a cellphone that was not there. My husband bought me my cellphone. I had to give him a big hug for that.

I recall 2 of my grandchildren spent the summer with me. I observed they were constantly on their cellphones. One morning at breakfast I asked them to put the cellphones away until after breakfast. My one grandchild was really upset and said she did not feel well and needed to go lie down. She did not know how to act without a cellphone.

I also recall sometimes moving very quickly to get out of the way of someone walking that was looking down on their cellphones. The problem with that is that when you are on the cellphone and looking down you are not aware of your surroundings and that can be very dangerous.

Have you ever tried not using your cellphone for a day or even for several hours? Have you considered not using your cellphones when going to an event with family? Have you checked your cellphone usage? Have you tried limiting your cellphone usage before bedtime? Did you observe you may have slept better because of this? Have you observed that at the beginning of some funerals they now ask you to turn your cellphones off or either to silence them?

5. Answering Your Cellphone

Do you always answer your cellphone immediately? Have you considered just letting it go to voicemail and answering it later? Have you thought about how you survived before cellphones were invented?

6. Are You Addicted to Your Cellphone?

Addictions come in many forms, not just drugs. Are you possibly addicted to your cellphone? Do you have digital balance? A few signs that you might be addicted to your cellphone might include experiencing anxiety when your phone is not within reach, Your screen time shows a high number of hours, you frequently check your phone, even when it is not necessary, your Smartphone use interferes with your sleep hours, you are compelled to use your phone during social interactions, you use your Smartphone while engaging in dangerous, activities, or you hear imaginary notifications. According to howtogeek.com these may be a few signs that you are addicted to your cellphone.

I recall a friend that mentioned she was not getting much sleep. She shared she was sleeping with her cellphone in her bed in case her friend gave her a call. I thought to myself, “Why would she do that?” There has already been so much talk about not sleeping with your cellphone near you because of the radiation it gives off.

7. How to Break Cellphone Addiction

If you discover that you are addicted to your cellphone just know that there are ways to break that nasty addiction. Do you want to break your cellphone addiction? sometimes you might need to unplug to connect. You might try a few of the following:

· Think about how you feel after being on your cellphone: Is your neck stiff?

· Check your screen time

· Turn off unnecessary notifications

· Delete as many apps as possible

· Start using the do not disturb feature

· Do not use your phone for minutes at a time

· Set aside some phone free-time

Finally:

· Keep your phone where you can't easily reach it

· Be intentional when using your smartphone

· Don’t be hard on yourself

These suggestions are all talked about more in depth at pittsburgheartday.org.

I have had a stiff neck from using my cellphone, so I have cut down my screen time. I should know better though because before cellphones were invented a job that I worked required me and my coworkers to call 1700 accounts monthly within a short time. My coworkers and myself would experience neck stiffness during that time. I would even line my children up when I came home from work to give me a neck massage. They gave the best neck massages too.

If you relate to these experiences, consider making a change. Consider using your cellphone in moderation. Consider real life moments. Remember everything in moderation.

Source:

When Cell Phones Replace People | Psychology Today

Cohen: How Smartphones Affect our Relationships

7 Signs You May Be Addicted to Your Smartphone

10 Ways To Break Your Smartphone Addiction - Pittsburgh Earth Day

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