Your Cellphone: Anxiety Creator or Reliever?

In the last decade or so, cellphones have gone from being a luxury to a practical necessity.  With their ability to keep us connected to our loved ones, work, and society at large, they provide countless benefits and are a major source of convenance in a seemingly ever more hectic world.  However, there is growing evidence that cellphones may also be a source of stress, anxiety, and even life dissatisfaction.  One study of college students for example found a correlation between high cellphone use and anxiety, greater unhappiness, and poorer grades. We may also be becoming a bit too reliant on these handy devices, as a growing number of people report having anxiety when separated from their cellphone.  A recent study at the University of Missouri even found that people who were unable to answer their ringing cellphones experienced an increase in their heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety levels, and a reduction in their cognitive skills. Despite the many benefits of cellphones, it seems they can also be quite the little anxiety producing machines. 

Interestingly, however, cellphones have also recently come to the forefront in helping people deal with anxiety.  There are a growing number of cellphone apps that are specifically aimed at reducing anxiety through various means including music, meditation, breathing exercises and even a virtual “worry box.”  The scientific jury is still out on whether these apps offer any tangible benefits, although I personally know of people who have found one specific app or another to be quite helpful.  The trick seems to be finding an app that meets your specific needs and works best for you individually.  If you are looking for an anxiety-busting app yourself, a great place to start is to check out Healthline’s list of top anxiety apps, available at: http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/top-anxiety-iphone-android-apps#promoSlide.  

If you are finding that your cellphone is more of an anxiety creator than reliever, here are some things you can try to mentally decouple from your phone without throwing it in the trash bin:

• Practice turning off your phone each day.  Switching your phone off or putting it on airplane mode for even an hour can give your brain a much needed break and gets you in the practice of not needing to be connected every minute of every day.  This can be particularly effective if you do it an hour or two before going to bed.
• Turn off your cellphone’s notification indicator when not working and try to limit how often you check your phone for messages. 
• Answer emails and texts in bulk rather than responding right away to each one individually.
• Have a cellphone-free sabbath where you go without your cellphone for at least one day each week.    

Know that cutting yourself off from your cellphone may be a bit stressful or even anxiety producing at first, so it is often a good idea to start slow and gradually increase it over time.  I would also suggest consulting a professional if you experience high levels of stress, anxiety, or any emotional issues in relation to your cellphone.

If you have a favourite cellphone activity reduction activity or app, please feel free to share it in the comments below. Till next time.