This Photo Lacks Something Overused. Can You Identify What It Is?

Let’s go back to the simple and take care of our mental and physical health.

What do we see in this photo? A group of friends shares a pleasant evening. Everyone is talking and smiling in a relaxed atmosphere and close to nature.

There’s nothing wrong with the image, but it’s a shame that scenarios like this are becoming less common because most people prefer to share with another person from their smartphones instead of communicating with each other.

Data on the use of the smartphone and the disorders that it could cause

According to “DELOITTE,” 78% of all consumers in developed markets check their smartphones within the first hour of waking up. Text and instant messages are the first things many consumers check in the morning, and on average, users check their phones 40 times a day.

Is it actually too bad?

We do not doubt how convenient technology is for all of us. If it were not for it, for example, we would not be reading this article; however, when we exceed the limits of its use, the consequences can be very harmful.

Addiction to cell phone use.

Smartphone addiction is not officially recognized. However, we only have to observe our surroundings; We can see many people on the street walking like zombies.

So, can a health professional determine if an individual has a problem due to excessive cell phone use? Yes, they can.

According to experts from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, being dependent on the smartphone can be identified by behaviors, feelings, and thoughts that show a lack of control over using the phone.

For example, this device interferes with commitments and relationships; lack of access to the phone causes dread, anxiety, or irritability; and the ability to think deeply or creatively is hampered.

In an investigation published by BBC Mundo, some warning signs about a possible addiction to the cell phone are:

• You constantly check your phone for no reason.
• You feel anxious or restless if you think you don’t have your phone.
• You avoid social interaction because you prefer to spend time on your phone.
• You wake up in the middle of the night to check your phone.
• Your academic or work performance has worsened due to prolonged activity with your phone.
• You are easily distracted by applications and chats.

“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” — Steve Jobs.

Phobia being without a cell phone.

This extreme fear of not having the smartphone or a mobile device at hand, running out of the internet, or without charging, is known as Nomophobia.

This is a relatively new phobia but one that is rapidly increasing. We have to admit that we’ve all had a “mini heart attack” when we couldn’t find our cell phone, and that’s because our lives are so connected to technology that we can’t imagine living in it anymore.

Consequences on our emotional, physical and social health by overusing the smartphone

Many factors cause emotional and physical problems due to the use of the cell phone, or rather, the content we choose to see.

Social networks can cause a lot of damage. Different studies show that frequent use of its use, mainly in young people, can cause.

Implications in our emotions.

A lot of people are smiling and crying inside.

• Depression. People often compare their life to what they see on social media (which is not always true).
• Low self-esteem. Seeing so many ordinary people with outstanding beauty can cause low self-esteem. Even when hundreds of filters and tricks are used in networks, we often ignore this and only see what we “supposedly” do not have.
• Social isolation. More and more people prefer to interact with the screen than with the real world; that has become their reality.
• Insomnia. The use of the cell phone at bedtime causes overuse brain activity, and therefore falling asleep becomes much more difficult.

Implications on our physical health.

• Pain and cramps in the hands and wrists.
• Tendinitis. Inflammation of a tendon causes pain and increased sensitivity in the joint.
• Back and neck pain. Due to constant lousy posture.
• Headache and dizziness.
• Vision problems, including dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.

How can we reduce the harm of constant smartphone use?

Like all problems, the first thing is to admit that we have to solve them. Realizing that you spend too much time using your cell phone is essential to change that behavior.

1. Ideally, it would help if you made some restrictions, maybe not too many initially. Some of the recommendations are:
2. Begin to eliminate applications from the cell phone that you know do not bring you anything positive.
3. If you are with your family or a group of friends, please, silence your phone and put it away if possible.
4. Filter the content of your social networks eliminate the topics or influencers that you are aware of that cause you some negative sensation.
5. Stop using your cell phone at least an hour before going to sleep.
6. Above all, choose quality. Technology is positive or negative, depending on how you use it.

Remember that you don’t have to post everything every time. Your happiness does not depend on others believing that you are happy.