Nearly half of all smartphone users say they can’t. And if you are like most adults in the U.S., you probably don’t ever leave home without your phone. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Cellphones certainly help keep us connected and allow us to stay in touch with friends and family. Of course, the wide variety of apps provides us with cheap entertainment. And when it comes to health, those apps can be very beneficial, acting as hand-held health coaches. Your smartphone apps can help you eat better, keep you moving and even help to lower stress.

Despite these benefits, there are downsides to smartphone use. Phones are a distraction, and when you use them, you are less likely to pay attention to your surroundings. In addition, phones can cause anxiety. Why? It can be very overwhelming to try to keep up with all the posts on social media, texts and alerts. Not to mention the impact that phones have on your sleep; the artificial light can mess with your body’s natural sleep cycle, and the constant alerts can interrupt your rest.

Of course, it is very hard to disconnect completely, but you can adjust your phone use to a healthier level by following these tips:

• Turn the phone off at night (or at least put it on mute).
• Take frequent breaks to avoid eye strain and finger/wrist pain.
• Turn the volume down – especially if using earphones or ear buds.
• Plan some no-phone time where you take a complete break from your device.

If you can’t imagine taking a break from your phone, you could actually be addicted! Some of the telltale signs of phone addiction include constantly checking your phone, panicking when you don’t have it and using it in strange places, like the bathroom.

If this sounds like you, consider “unplugging.” Start with just a few hours of no-phone time, and work your way up to an entire day. Think you can do it? Today is the perfect opportunity to try! The first Friday in March is recognized annually as National Day of Unplugging.

To celebrate, you simply take 24 hours to unplug, unwind, relax and do things other than using technology, electronics and social media. You can learn more at www.nationaldayofunplugging.com!

Even if you don’t participate in the full 24 hours of National Day of Unplugging, consider disconnecting from digital devices for shorter periods on a more regular basis. It’s time we relearn to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities – in real time!

Source: The Staywell Company, LLC