If you like social networking sites, you may have come across a pic taken during the premiere of “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp. The photo, widely circulated in 2015, shows a crowd of fans awaiting to catch a glimpse of the movie’s stars. Just how excited they were? Very excited as all of them were holding up their smart phones itching to get that photo. All of them except for one old sweet lady who had a huge smile on her face. The photo clearly showed how most of us relies on technology to capture moments on our phones instead of simply enjoying the moment. As a result, we may be missing out on the more important things in life.

For all its benefits to us, our mobile phone has practically turned into an extension of our body. However, we also have to realize that like everything, our mobile phones offer disadvantages too. Here are the top reasons why we should say adios to our phones from time to time.

To have a healthy sleep.

Research has shown that extreme cell phone use especially during bedtime can lead to disruptive sleep. A study conducted by Dr. Gregory Marcus, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, revealed that those with limited smartphone use during the entire day better than those with excessive smartphone use during the entire day. Other studies theorize that the mobile phone’s electromagnetic waves contribute to lack of sleep for smartphone users that some companies now even offer devices that shield from the electromagnetic waves that emit from technology devices.

To be happy.

It’s impossible these days to have a smartphone and not use it to connect to social media sites especially when those notifications for a new message sent or a new story posted pops out. The more things you find out about what your family or friend does through their posts, the more you will feel negative towards yourself. This is what the study done by Holly Shakya, assistant professor and social media researcher at the University of California, San Diego, found out. A further study conducted in Denmark involved a thousand users of Facebook who were split into two groups: one to take a one-week break from the site and the other to use the site as usual. The first group was said to have increased positive emotions as a result.

To focus on substance, not superficial.

With social media posts these days being centered on the material things – designer monogram bags, shoes with red-lacquered soles, and 24-carat jewelry – we tend to lose sight of what’s important and focus instead on getting those very things that catch our eye. The “If others have them, then I should too!” mentality causes us to strive for material gain and create an image that’s all perfect on the surface, without thinking about what’s inside of us and how we are improving as a student, a friend, a daughter, a son, and basically a human being.

To have real connections.

“Ingrid Goes West,” an interesting movie released last year is cautionary tale of how we become obsessed with social media stars or what are referred to as “influencers.” We are attracted to the people we think we can be best friends with when we have best friends next to us who are always willing to help if we just find a way to reach out.

To protect our eyes.

Perhaps a reason that’s an afterthought, but too much screen time can truly damage the eyes. A recent study showed that myopia is on the rise among kids today because of too much screen time. The antidote to lessen the risk of myopia? Have kids spend more time outdoors. Of course, it applies to adults too.

Ready to part with your smartphone now even for just a day? Like with all addictions, take it one day at a time. Review those reasons above, and if you’ll find yourself agreeing to most of them, then it’s time to distance yourself from your phone.

SOURCES:

https://www.thealternativedaily.com/12-reasons-take-break-phone/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/myopia-children-1.4627366

http://time.com/4882372/social-media-facebook-instagram-unhappy/

https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/185/3/203/2915143

https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/health/smartphones-harm-sleep/index.html