Are You Too Attached to Your Phone?

By Stepy Kamei

There are many, almost endless, benefits to owning a cell phone. In many ways, it's easier than ever to stay connected with friends, relatives, loved ones, and the world around you. No matter where you go throughout your day, as long as you have your cell phone, you have the ability to keep in contact with anyone you want to. Plus, it's never been easier to find directions, look up something on the internet, or keep up with your email as you go about your day. 

However, scientists have been warning us for a while now about the potential dark side of having a cell phone. While using a cell phone to communicate or navigate through the day a little easier is not necessarily a problem to your health, studies are showing that more and more risks to our health are developing as a result of over-attachment and dependence to cell phones. Keep on reading to learn more about the signs of being too attached to your cell phone, and what you can do to make sure you're keeping a healthy distance between you and your devices.

The Rise of Smartphone Addiction

As more and more people own cell phones (and specifically, smart phones), it's becoming easier than ever to become addicted to them as well. In fact, scientists have started naming specific warning signs of people who may be a little too attached to their phones:

• Nomophobia - The fear of losing or misplacing your phone
• Textaphrenia - The worry that you won't be able to receive or send out text messages
• Phantom vibrations - A convincing feeling that you are receiving a notification from your phone even when you aren't

These signs may sound silly, but it's important to check in with yourself if any of these sound familiar. Knowing the signs of cell phone addiction can help you fight off this issue and help you find an appropriate balance between cell phone use and spending time out in the real world.

Keeping a Healthy Relationship With Your Phone

These studies on cell phone reliance have further shown that people who are overly attached to their cell phones often experience detrimental effects to their physical and mental health as a direct result. Many people may notice an increase in neck pain as a result of staring at their screens too long. Meanwhile, the constant exposure to blue light can interrupt with your natural circadian rhythms, making it harder to fall asleep and therefore encouraging fatigue, poor concentration, and even an increased chance of developing conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Be sure to speak with a healthcare professional if you feel you're too reliant on your cell phone, or any other device.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.