Cary Cooper, Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, warns, "Like television, the light draws you in and numbs your senses. It's the exercise equivalent of treading water and can be both addictive and destructive in the way it occupies your mind without actually stimulating it."
Professor Cooper also points out that, "Computer technologies can be addictive because they're psychoactive — they alter mood and often trigger enjoyable feelings....It's like slot machines — we're seeking that pleasurable hit."
Bayer research found that 28% of women blamed smartphones such as iPhone and BlackBerry for ruining their sex lives. Obsessively checking Facebook and emails can lead to similar problems. This is not a new phenomena. Windows Phone "Really?" commercials pointed out the problem last year, where a sexy women is ignored in the bedroom while the guy is engrossed in using his smartphone.
Cooper noted that being subjected to constant data smog or information overload presents the real risk of ignoring or forgetting the information you do need. As a result, you are in less control of your life.
Cooper offered some tips to battle against smartphone addiction:
- Don't go cold turkey, because there is a potential for withdrawal symptoms. Instead turn off the smartphone in increasing increments.
- Use the smartphone only when needed. Just because it's always there doesn't mean you should always use it.
- Talk more and use your smartphone to meet to make conversations face-to-face.
- Exercise, it will increase oxygen to your brain so that you can think better. It will also increase endorphin levels and a sense of well-being.
- Take stock of how long and often you are using the smartphone.
- OD on purpose, as overdosing of use will reinforce the worse elements of usage.