Do you find yourself struggling to break the habit of checking your phone at night? If so, you’re not alone. According to a study published in the journal “Psychology of Addictive Behaviors,” approximately one third of people who use smartphones regularly check their devices before bedtime. This habit can have negative consequences, including impaired sleep and increased stress levels. If you’re finding it hard to quit checking your phone at night, there are a few strategies you can try.
Let’s dig in!
Causes of Phone Checking at Night
People often check their phones at night to make sure they have received messages or notifications. However, phone checking can have negative consequences. People who check their phones frequently at night are more likely to experience problems with their sleep, such as insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. Additionally, people who check their phones frequently at night are more likely to have anxiety and depression. Someone who is constantly checking their phone may also experience issues with their relationship. People who check their phones frequently at night are more likely to feel lonely, which can lead to feelings of anxiety.
Effects of Phone Checking at Night
Not only is phone checking during the day bad for your sleep, but it’s also not the best way to handle a problem. According to a study published in the “Journal of Medical Internet Research“, people who checked their phones at night were more likely to have serious problems resolving their problems. The study found that people who spent more time on their phones at night were more likely to have problems with their sleep, mood, and stress levels.
How to break the habit of phone checking at night
There is a growing trend among adults to check their phones multiple times a day. Unfortunately, this habit can be hard to break. Here are 5 tips to help you break the phone checking habit:
- Set a reminder to check your phone once a day. This will help you remember not to check your phone throughout the day.
- Use a phone app that blocks notifications from specific apps.
- Set a reminder to check your phone before bed. The idea is that you can’t sleep with notifications, so you will have the willpower to resist checking your phone once you wake up. This is the most important one!
- If you can t resist yourself, use a phone app that blocks your phone from turning on or waking up. This way you won t be tempted to check it in the middle of the night. You will only be able to use the phone with this app when you have woken up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that smartphones are addictive and have negative consequences on our mental health. Although we may not be able to quit checking our phones overnight, we can make a conscious effort to reduce our screen time. I encourage you to try out some of the tips I’ve mentioned, and see if they work for you. If not, keep trying until you find something that does. The key is to be mindful of our phone usage, and not let it control us.
