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Why is everyone obsessed with their smartphone lately? - Walla! health

2020-10-22T06:01:03.281Z


Yes, it is not just you, and yes it adversely affects your mental and physical condition. And the main problem: Just like with cigarettes, acknowledging the problem will probably not help you quit. The psychologist Itamar Pascal explains


  • health

  • psychology

Why is everyone obsessed with their smartphone lately?

Yes, it is not just you, and yes it adversely affects your mental and physical condition.

And the main problem: Just like with cigarettes, acknowledging the problem will probably not help you quit.

The psychologist Itamar Pascal explains

Tags

  • Corona

  • An epidemic

  • depression

  • anxiety

  • Smartphone

  • Facebook

Itamar Pascal, guest article

Wednesday, 21 October 2020, 08:27

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How many hours a day do you stare at the screen?

Woman with mask looks at smartphone (Photo: ShutterStock)

The corona plague is an international challenge that involves not only health concerns, but a wide range of other challenges, some of which we have never known before.

If there is one emotion that seems to only intensify over the last few months in many people around the world it is helplessness.



This microscopic virus, which has a greater impact on us than the most powerful leaders in the world, makes many of us feel small and out of control, even those who do not fully admit it.

Therefore, many will look for ways to regain some degree of control in their lives, even if along the way they do not notice that they are doing themselves more harm than good.

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The current epidemic has sharpened and highlighted many things that were already embedded in our personalities even before it - good and bad alike.

One of its effects that is perceived as less dramatic but certainly gives its signals on the psyche lies in the fact that it causes us to spend much more time each day in front of screens - and this may be more serious than we thought.



The New York Times published data showing that since the outbreak of the plague in the United States, there has been a 27 percent increase in Facebook use, 16 percent in Netflix use and 15.3 percent in YouTube use.

In addition, the data show that many people spend much more time scrolling through news sites and other social networks.

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On the one hand, it makes a lot of sense in our desire to convey the boredom at home in front of screens and also to get a lot more information about the corona, whether it comes from social networks or the media.

As we delve deeper into what is happening around us, it may give a sense of more understanding and control over what is happening to us and the world.

However, there are quite a few studies that show that this tendency can also exacerbate problems that are becoming much more common in the modern age - including stress, anxiety, loneliness and ADHD.

Like a cigarette after a long day of waiting

There is now a fairly widespread consensus among mental health experts that prolonged scrolling in smartphone apps can adversely affect mental state.

In the days of a global epidemic, however, this impact is only becoming more severe and significant.



During this period, every report related to the epidemic and its effects takes on a different garnet - more dramatic and apocalyptic.

And just as we are addicted to thrillers or reality shows, even when it comes to our lives, we are addicted to the thrill that comes with the drama that surrounds us.

The media and politicians also have a clear interest in intensifying the drama and in such a situation, we may, without noticing, develop or intensify an addiction to this very specific thrill.

Reality provides you with more drama than Netflix.

The confrontation between Miri Regev and Eyal Berkowitz that went viral (screenshot)

And as with any addiction - such as nicotine - we will continue to adhere to this habit even if we already understand that it is harmful to us and has no real benefit.

This is because while we are scrolling through a Facebook feed and encountering another dramatic headline, in our brains the same chemicals are secreted by someone who lights a cigarette after a long day of waiting for that moment.



And this habit, it is important to understand, has a particularly negative effect on people who even before the epidemic felt lonely and stressed, as well as on anyone who suffered even before the outbreak of hypochondria or economic worries.

And if you think that only the mind is harmed by it, there are many data that also show physiological effects of excessive smartphone use on our health.

Conditions like loneliness and anxiety can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity and even diseases like diabetes and even dementia.

what do we do with it?

I have no doubt that articles of this kind will not cause any of the readers to delete all the new apps and social networks from his phone.

This is not the purpose of what is being said here and I, just like you, spend some of my free time in front of the smartphone, computer and TV screens.

However, it is important that we all understand that this habit has an effect on us, just as we know that cigarettes can cause harm and it is unthinkable to spend our entire day smoking non-stop.



Awareness is the most important step on the way to reducing this harm, and there are also quite a few ways to strengthen that awareness.

Exercise like walking, swimming or running, as well as regular yoga and meditation practice have been proven as ways to strengthen awareness and self-control, while improving body health at the same time.

You probably will not stop, but you can reduce.

Woman with smartphone and laptop (Photo: ShutterStock)

Of course, you should also think every day about how you reduce the time you use your smartphone.

There are quite a few apps that help limit usage time, but this process is important that will lead to a genuine desire as well as yours to improve the situation.

It is also important not to get angry with yourself or judge yourself harshly if you fail to do so.

Remember that screen addiction is a global problem - and it can be quite challenging to overcome, but it is certainly possible with a lot of patience, awareness and support circles of people who truly love us and without interests - even through screens.



Real-world interpersonal relationships play an important role in improving the mental state, especially at a time when many of us feel so isolated and disconnected.

Try to think every day how you can make more connections with people in the real world and less through various technological intermediaries that have already become such a significant part of our routine.



Itamar Pascal is a clinical psychologist and director of the Tel Aviv Institute of Psychotherapy

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Source: walla

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