Katelyn Wilburn, Campus Carrier opinions editor
Taking a look around the dining hall, the library or even during everyday walks to class, everyone is staring down at their phone. As college students, we have a million tasks plaguing our brains, so we often spend the little free time we such as free our breaks to eat or our walks to the next class on our phones. Our phones have become such a normal part of everyday life that we barely notice how often we use them. However, phones negatively affect mental and physical health for individuals who use them excessively. While phones can be useful tools of communication and entertainment, the amount of time we spend on them can impact our mental health, relationships and well-being.
Our mental health is important when we think about screen time. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok expose us to algorithmically curated content from other people’s lives. Scrolling for hours, it is very easy to compare ourselves to the unrealistic standard social media places upon us. Social media increases anxiety levels and can play a role in lowering the self-esteem of individuals who are subjected to harmful content. Taking a break from these apps could help reduce the constant stimulation and give our minds space to rest from what’s going on.
Additionally, we need to maintain our relationships in order to promote a healthy mindset. Many individuals get this connection through social media, but social media relationships aren’t the only ones that are present in life; our real, face-to-face relationships are important for our health and happiness, too. When you’re in a deep conversation with a friend, breaking the connection long enough to glance at your phone can spoil the moment. Face-to-face conversations build a healthy sense of empathy, trust and a deeper connection that is difficult to maintain over messages.
Our phones also impact our productivity. When switching between work and leisure time, your phone is the easiest ticket to procrastination. This is because a world of fun lights is just on the other side of the glass. Instead of grabbing your phone every five minutes, set a timer to wait until the end. Plan intentional breaks in order to limit the time you spend on your phone. Most phones have focus modes that can help with this. Set it on do not disturb or even create a new notifications mode on your phone specific to ‘school’ or ‘work.’
Another factor to consider is sleep. Our sleep schedules can be heavily influenced by the amount of time we spend on our phones. The stimulation from the blue light can interfere with our body’s natural cycles of sleep, making falling asleep more difficult than it would be without technology. Many of us scroll right before bed, wasting precious time that could have been spent resting. Instead of doing this right before going to sleep, focus on prioritizing screen-free time in your everyday bedtime routine. For example, reading, meditating or even journaling are hobbies that help calm the mind before resting. This could easily lead to better rest, a heightened mood and extra energy throughout the daytime.
But if we aren’t spending this extra time on our phones, what are we going to accomplish in all of our newfound free time? A fun way to get off the technology is to rediscover old hobbies. Go for a run, read a book or simply sit with your thoughts. These activities can help you maintain a curious mind, allowing you to grow into a better version of yourself. When every free moment is spent scrolling, there are fewer opportunities to work towards a better version of yourself.
This is not to say that your phone is the enemy. Implementing screen-free time into your everyday life can help you become an increasingly well-rounded version of yourself. Putting down the phone helps you be more mindful of your screen time, adjust to new habits and be part of a more connected world.