At times, we are all somewhat dependent on the devices and gadgets we share our lives with. In particular, mobile phones have practically become an extension of our bodies; we’re rarely without them, find it hard to put them down and feel disconnected as soon as they’re not in sight. They are undeniably useful and have made many aspects of our lives more efficient and indeed, more convenient, but what affect are they having on our mental health?
Would reducing the time we each spend on our mobiles naturally lead to more time spent doing things that boost our mental health.
Sometimes, it’s good to switch off, right?
Simply put, Social Media has revolutionised the world. Whether it serves as the main connection to your social hub of friends and family, provides you with never-before-seen access to global news events as they happen, or is nothing more than a source of fun that consumes your leisure time, expecting it to have minimal impact on your life is becoming ever more unrealistic.
For all the good it does, social media, by its very construct, is quite complex, and potentially, even harmful. At its core are algorithms designed to show you content that will keep you on the platform for as long as possible. These algorithms often lead to ‘mindless scrolling’, serving you the content you are most likely to view, regardless of whether that content is negative, untrue, or harmful to your mental health.
Social media has been shown to increase stress, anxiety and depression, and cause information overload that also negatively impacts your mental health. When you consider that most people view social media whenever they look at their phone, the simple act of putting your phone down will in turn drastically reduce your exposure to social media, giving your brain a much-needed break.
Many news outlets report that the average American spends as many as 4½ hours each day on their mobile phone. That’s over 2 months each year. A reduction of just 30 mins per day would free up more than 150 hours each year. What would you do with all that time? Is it time to kickstart that healthy regime you’ve been thinking about? Is there a musical instrument that you would like to learn? How about a new skill you could acquire that could enhance your career? Why not use the time to focus on your mental health? There’s a lot you can do in 150 hours.
Our lives and the way we communicate are getting faster. Large amounts of data, that once took an age to transfer, can now be sent and received in seconds. This constant advancement of technology is impacting our lives, both positively and negatively. Scientists have shown in recent studies that the human attention span is rapidly decreasing in correlation with our need to consume information evermore quickly. This has been linked to our increased use of digital devices, and in particular, our mobile phones. Studies have also shown that taking a break from a task to check your mobile phone negatively impacts your concentration levels, leaving your brain less able to focus.
If you need a break, avoid your phone and choose instead something that will allow you to recuperate and recharge, such as having a face-to-face conversation, drinking a glass of water or calmly meditating.
Putting your phone down is easier said than done but may be the first step in working towards the Legendary Life that you know, deep down, you deserve. At Legendary Life we believe in human optimization and that everyone can Live their own Legend, providing they have the right tools and the ambition to make powerful long-lasting changes. To help our community of Legends and Legends-in-the-making, we have created numerous feature-rich science-backed products that will help you commence your journey, progress towards your goals, and provide opportunities for reflection as you progress triumphantly towards to the life you absolutely deserve.
The Live Your Legendary Life phone app, available on iPhone (AppStore) and on Android (Google Play), is packed full of modules that are designed to help you on your journey to find, pursue and “Live Your Legend”. These modules will assist in your pursuit of self-optimization, balance, and fulfilment in every aspect of life. In particular, one of these modules is designed to help you put your phone down: ‘No Phone Challenge’ – Be more present, focused, productive and less anxious by regularly taking part in our “No Phone Challenge” (ironically by tracking your progress with your phone).
For more information, click here.
Available on Android via GooglePlay.
Available on iPhone via AppStore.
Leave your phone in another room or at home just once a day for at least 1 hour. Just immerse yourself in the moment.
“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become.”
Sandra Marinella
With the support of our community and the free tools and information available here, join the Legendary Life No Phone Challenge. Remove the dependency you have on your mobile and re-connect with yourself, your loved ones and the world around you.
