Very many persons are deeply into excessive phone usage. Unfortunately, most of them are not aware of how deep this habit is and how it could affect them, mentally, spiritually, physically and financially.
Truly, ever since the mobile phone became man’s best companion, a lot of things have happened to the mind of man.
From picking up the device unconsciously or mindlessly to feeling terribly incomplete when you leave your home without it.
These are just simple signs of attachment that tells you you need to check your phone usage.
Unfortunately, not very many persons know what to do and how to do those things to ensure excessive phone usage is minimised.
Before you know what to do to minimise excessive phone usage, you will need to first see some signs that your phone usage might be excessive.
1. Do You Constantly Check Your Phone?
If you find yourself frequently reaching for your phone throughout the day, you are on this table with other people, mindlessly throwing away some good time.
The time you hold your phone after you mindlessly take it could be used for other amazing things.
Indeed, one of them is taking a nap for your good health.
So, if you pick up your phone when there are no notifications or specific reasons to do so, it could be a sign of excessive phone usage.
2. Are You Uncomfortable Without Your Phone With You?
Earlier, I mentioned that there is a level of attachment that could make someone feel incomplete without a ‘phone in hand’.
Yes! If you ever feel anxious or uncomfortable when you’re away from your phone or unable to access it, it may indicate that you’re overly dependent on it.
You need to break free and be in charge.
3. Do You Lose Time?
If you have ever said, it appears 24 hours is not enough to do what you have planned for the day, then you should give attention to what I am about to say here.
You see, there is a level of abundance of all things that exist here on earth.
Check out the area occupied by water, the land available for farming and dwelling, the species and varieties of things and you will understand better.
Why do you ever think the one who gave this things in abundance did not give you time in abundance.
Your 24 hours are divided into 3 parts of 8, 8 and 8.
In a system that works, you have 8 hours to sleep, 8 hours to work for another persons if you are an employee (9 to 5).
Amazingly, you also have 8 hours for yourself and in those times, you can achieve a lot.
If commuting does not eat into your time, then, you have more than enough time to create wealth.
However, spending long periods of time on your phone without realising it is a common behaviour.
But it is an indicator of excessive phone usage.
You might find that hours pass by unnoticed while you’re scrolling through social media or watching videos.
In an earlier article, I outlined how you can maximise this time.
4. Do You Find Yourself Neglecting Responsibilities?
Hmmmmm! This one creeps in on you like a thief.
You may not even know you are doing it and you will gradually form a habit of doing it. I have had to uninstall a football game that steals my time.
I am a lover of football, being a footballer in school.
At least, I can still remember, that it was my set of Mass Communication students that won the Cup in the School of Business, Auchi Polytechnic, back in 2023 season.
So, I had to give up playing my lovely game of football to use the time for more rewarding things.
As a result, if your phone usage interferes with your daily responsibilities, such as work, studying, or household chores, it may be a sign that you’re spending too much time on your phone.
5. Do You Still Connect With Your Relationships?
Again, excessive phone usage can strain relationships. It takes away time and attention from loved ones.
You see, everyone loves it when they are called or messaged by old friends just to check up on them.
It feels really good. You can attest to this when your friends, family members and loved ones checked up on you.
However, if your phone usage is causing conflicts or leading to decreased quality time with family and friends, it may be a problem.
We are built to rely on connections to grow.
6. Are You Noticing These Physical Symptoms?
Truly, excessive phone usage can lead to physical symptoms.
You may not know, but it happens underground.
Symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, or neck and back pain, especially if you’re spending long periods of time staring at a screen.
7. Is Phone Usage Stealing Your Sleep?
Some times, you want to sleep and then your mind tells you to take your phone to the bed.
You gladly obeyed, thinking it could help you wind down to sleep. But before you know it, you have spent additional 30 minutes or an hour.
Indeed, using your phone before bedtime can interfere with sleep quality by disrupting your circadian rhythm and stimulating your brain.
If you’re experiencing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, excessive phone usage could be a contributing factor.
Some times you could feel like you could miss out on some things when you drop the phone and sleep. A terrible attachment to your phone.
8. Is Your Mental Health At Risk?
Excessive phone usage has been linked to increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
An expert study says “excessive mobile device usage, such as smartphones and tablets, has been found to have a negative impact on individual mental and physical health” (1).
So, while you use your phone, if you notice changes in your mood or mental well-being that coincide with increased phone usage, it may be a sign that you’re using your phone too much.
If you recognise any of these signs in your own behaviour, it might be great to consider ways to reduce your phone usage and establish healthier habits.
