With so many communication methods available to us, you’d think we’d feel more connected than ever. However life isn’t all likes and snap streaks. The devices we think are bringing us together, are actually pushing us further apart.
In the age of Instagram, Facebook, Tinder and Snap Chat, it’s easy to get addicted to the instant gratification of likes, hearts, comments and views. Aussies are getting addicted to their smart phones. Recent research shows we’re spending more time staring at our phones than spending quality time with family or friends.
It’s easy to see why - On the train, on your lunch break or in bed it’s easy to lose time scrolling an endless feed of entertaining photos and articles. So, how do we put the phone away and prevent social media from dominating so much of our daily lives?
Body Image is how an individual conceptualises their personal appearance including size, shape and weight of their body. Poor body image and chronic dieting can engender attitudes and behaviours that are self-defeating and self-destructive. Evidence shows that those people with poor body image are at an increased risk for developing eating disorders (binge eating & comfort eating), as well as low self-esteem, anxiety or depression.
Be aware of the influence that social media, the fashion industry and society can have on one’s self image and ensure you don’t compare yourself to others. The “perfection” portrayed on social media is false and can strongly influence an individual’s body image. Filters, angles and airbrushing are often used to perfect photos before they are posted. Don’t forget that one photo is just a snapshot of that person’s life, behind the scenes it may not be anywhere near as perfect.
While we can’t definitively say social media creates a feeling of loneliness, we know it certainly doesn’t help. Recent research showed the people using social media the most, actually felt the most isolated. Watching friends and family off on European vacations can give you major FOMO (fear of missing out). This starts a vicious cycle of actually wanting to spend more time on social media to fill a void of emptiness.
Social connection is essential for our physical health and psychological wellbeing. One telling study showed that lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. On the flip side, strong social connection leads to a 50% increased chance of longevity.
The thought of taking a “break” can be daunting for anyone who considers their phone an extension of their body. However, it can be healthy to try a few exercises to reduce your usage in some form or another. Here are some simple tips to reduce your screen time.
This is a simple tip for non-essential apps. Keep messages on so your loved ones can get in contact when they need you. However, if you rarely get urgent personal emails, change your email settings to only download when you open the app. This will limit pop ups throughout the day. You’ll probably also save a few bucks when you don’t see all those 24 hour only sale emails instantly!
Try turning off notifications for games, Facebook and Instagram to stop the distractions. Do you really need to read every incoming comment or can you wait until your lunch break to read the latest on your post?
This is an easy one! Agree to no phone time with your family or colleagues at least once per day. At home, 7-8pm could be designated family time when you play a board game, go for a walk or do something crafty together. At work, agree that phones go on “airplane mode” during meetings so everyone’s invested in the discussions.
Have a friend who sits on their phone all through dinner? Have everyone stack their phones face down on the table until the end of the night. Create penalties for anyone who reaches for their phone such as picking up the tab. We guarantee no one will have trouble keeping hands off their phone!
We know it’s convenient to use your phone as your alarm. However when it sits next to your bed, you’re more likely to reach for it to have a scroll before you get up each morning. Get back to basics with an alarm clock and let your phone charge in another room at night.
If you have some spare time, use it on your device wisely. Is there something more productive you could be doing than scrolling a celebrity’s Instagram feed? Why not make a to-do list, shopping list or research some healthy new recipes to try?
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