Break Up with Your Smartphone for a While and Do Something Real
In today's times, even the most obscure information is just a few clicks away. Smartphones have definitely fulfilled the promise they made a decade ago, which was to change the way we think and interact. However, “smart” devices have lived by this promise not by making us smarter, but actually making us think less for ourselves.
According to a study by McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin, published by UT News, having a smartphone within reach significantly reduces our cognitive abilities, lowering our ability to think and concentrate.
Ask someone to do a simple calculation. Chances are that they'll whip out their phone to search for the calculator. Ask them for a place, they'll whip out their smartphone and open Google Maps. So, while devices seem to be getting smarter by the day, they seem to revolutionizing the way humans think, making us increasingly dependent on these devices, says a spokesperson from Mission Escape Games, Philadelphia.
Smartphone Use is Increasing
In 2016, the maximum hours a person spent on their smartphone per day hit nearly five hours, according to data published by Statista. Without us realizing it, we have become addicted to our mobile devices and feel almost incomplete till we have at least one at hand.
According to a Pew Intermet and American Life Survey, conducted in December 2014, nearly 90% of adults have accepted that smartphones and the Internet have improved their ability to learn new things. More than 70% stated that they find it extremely helpful to have access to a pool of information on the go.
People are using their smart devices to be better informed about their friends and family through social media, get information about various products and services, national and international news, and more. A large number of smartphone users are using this amazing invention to share their ideas and creations with others.
While there are some people who genuinely need to check their smartphones, there are many other who do it more out of habit than need, spending time that could have been spent on more productive activities.
Why is Smartphone Overuse Harmful?
When we overuse mobile devices, we are overloading ourselves with information. Experts have revealed that information overload requires us to not just take in a lot of information but also process it and then respond to it. When the supply of information exceeds an individual’s capacity to process that information, their brain becomes stressed and anxious. Over time, the person might experience mental fatigue, forgetfulness and difficulty in concentrating. After a point of time, their decision making power also begins to diminish.
You might feel the need to turn off your smartphone after reading this. However, this will not be of any use, since the brain will know that it is still there. Keeping the smartphone close, even when turned off, feels like the Internet is ready to serve you anywhere and at anytime, from taking selfies to summoning cabs or ordering food.
Do Something Real to Increase Focus
Technology is never bad in itself and neither are smartphones. Moreover, it is not possible to completely switch off from smart devices either. What is necessary is to take a break and do something that you enjoy, while also exercising your brain, without needing to access a device of any kind.
Frequent sessions of something as real and simple as a physical adventure game like escape rooms, in which participants need to solve a series of puzzles using clues, hints and strategy to unlock the room, can significantly help in increasing focus and concentration. This in turn will benefit you both personally and professionally.