Is Your Cellphone Stressing You Out? Most of us are constantly plugged into one device or another. Checking text messages, emails, and social media; making calendar events and phone calls. All this is having an effect on us— in fact, research shows that an excessive amount of phone use can cause increased stress in children and adults. Did you know that most people get instantly stressed when they hear their phone going off? Using your phone can have surprising negative effects! However, it’s possible to use your phone in a way that benefits your life instead of making it more difficult.
So, here are three tips to make your cellphone a positive influence on your life instead of a source of stress.
Don’t Check Your Phone for at Least Fifteen Minutes
For most of us our cellphone is stressing us out, we turn off our morning alarms and then immediately reach for our phones and start scrolling through social media. But when you first wake up, your brain’s in the Alpha Theta brain wave state. This is the mental state that’s optimal for visualization, programming, creativity, and consciously creating your own reality. This is a very powerful mental state that most of us are hijacking by being so quick to check our phones.
When you’re coming out of this mental state, you’ll take on the emotions and chaotic energy from your phone. This is not a good way to start your day. You need to set limits. Instead of checking your phone, use those fifteen minutes to focus and set your intentions for the day. Use that creative state to your advantage. Meditate or use our Breath in, Mind On app to practice beneficial breathing exercises. Replace that urge to check your phone with being present and mentally fit.
Set Your Phone Background with a Short-Term Goal or Positive Affirmation
It’s important to put your goals right in front of your face. If you can visualize the future you want, you can create it. Use your phone as a device to help you see your future and motivate you to achieve it. Write up a short-term goal and set it as your phone background or find an encouraging phone wallpaper and use that.
Create a Positive and Motivating Calendar Reminder
Now it’s time to go to the calendar on your phone and create an “I am” statement or a positive affirmation reminder. Set this reminder on repeat for twenty-one days. It can be anything you want it to be, as long as it’s positive. Think about some of these ideas:
• I am walking into my future.
• I am a positive influence and resource to people I come into contact with.
• I am free to create the life that I desire.
• I am surrounded by amazing people.
These consistent positive messages will give you some motivation and inspiration to get you through your days! After twenty-one days, change the message or affirmation and add a new one to your list.
It’s time for your phone to be a source of positivity in your life. Share the message you’re going to add to your calendar or phone background with the Mental Fitness Matters community. I can’t wait to read yours!
