I met with a friend last week who told me she was putting herself on a “digital diet.” “What’s that?” I asked. She explained that checking her smart phone was becoming out-of-control. First thing in the morning, before she puts in her contacts, she presses her phone screen against her one good eye to read the latest news. I was amazed. A digital diet!
According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, a British study shows that the more people check their smart phones, the more stressed they become. “Once the individual starts to use their smart phones, the workload management benefits are displaced by the pressure to keep abreast with their new expanded virtual social life,” research found. “The more an individual becomes stressed and worried, the more compulsive behaviors such as checking [your phone] will occur.
I think of all the people I know who are ALWAYS checking their phones and, sadly, shake my head. We have enough stress in our lives today than ever before. Now, our smart phones are magnifying our stress to dangerous levels. According to HeartMath, “Many people who are stressed are so immune they don’t believe anything is out of the ordinary.” What? Being on your phone 24 hours a day is ordinary?
Increased stress leads to increased inflammation of the body, meaning you’re more susceptible to immune disorders. Please don’t tell me that your phone time is more important than lowering your risk for diabetes and other immune diseases.
Remember that stress and illness are connected.
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