Your phone is giving you a shorter attention span

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Treating your phone like your best friend can lead to more serious problems. At some point, we must realize when we need to detach ourselves from our phones and live in the moment.

I love my phone. I love to watch silly videos, keep in touch with my friends and family, and see what nonsense is happening in the world. Being on my phone is an escape from getting out of bed at a reasonable time in the morning or finishing an assignment that I really don’t want to do. I’m sure many of us can admit that there has been a day where we just wanted nothing more to do except sit on our phones and be in bed all day. 

Being on our phones has become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. It offers us endless possibilities as it is the most convenient way to be entertained, gain information, and receive unlimited communication. Regular use of your phone does not automatically make you addicted to it, but constant use can cause physical health issues like eye strain, neck pain, headaches, and a lack of sleep.

With social media applications like TikTok, Vine, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, short-form content has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Short-form content is a much more convenient way of receiving information on the internet, becoming the preferred form of content many people expect to see. This expectation, when not given, makes it harder for us to focus on tasks for extended periods. If you see that your phone use is increasing and your productivity is being negatively affected, it may be time to incorporate different methods into your day to decrease your screen time. 

The persistent use of your phone can strain your relationships with those in your personal life. Ignoring the people in your life in favor of your phone can hurt and damage your relationships with others. The constant distraction or co-dependency of your phone can cause one to be isolated and struggle with anxiety or depression. If you find that a friend or family member has been struggling to put down their preferred device, then it may be time to have a serious conversation about their use of technology. Be transparent with this person, and don’t be afraid to set boundaries with one another. It is important that we hear and see each other, despite our personal differences, especially when these issues can tear people apart when unnoticed. 

I’ve also struggled to detach myself from my phone in the past. It led me to struggle in my classes and maintain conversations with my friends and family. I leaned more towards being isolated instead of interacting with others in public spaces. My attention span struggled as well. I was daydreaming in classes and tuning out friends in conversations without even realizing it.

Excessive use of your phone is causing you more harm than good, whether you realize it or not. Instead of relying on our phones as our main source of entertainment, communication, etc., we should all try to pick up better and healthier habits that will not be so detrimental to ourselves and to others. Pick up a new hobby, walk in the town, and listen to music or that new podcast episode you’ve been waiting to tune into. With endless choices, you can find your next favorite activity without fear of being detached from your phone.