Permanent link for A World of Constant Distraction on January 29, 2021

Picture this: You’re on the bus heading to class, walking at the park, or waiting in line at the grocery store. 
What do you notice? Every time I look up, it seems like everyone around me is on their phone. Sometimes texting, sometimes talking on the phone; but, usually just clicking from app to app to pass the time. Then, I usually look back down at my own phone - feeling guilty - but doing it anyway because everyone else is and I need a distraction. I think about all the times my mom would say things to me like “you probably have a headache from being on that phone all the time” in high school; and, while it annoyed me at the time, there’s probably some truth to that. I can’t help but wonder how it has really affected me growing up with technology and constant opportunities for distractions around me all the time. You might have wondered this too, so I decided to do the research so you don’t have to! Here’s what I found:

How Does it Affect Me? 

• Some studies have shown that students not using their phone in the class wrote down 62% more information in their notes, were able to recall more information, and on average scored a full letter and half grade higher on an exam compared to those on their phones. 
• Excessive phone and internet usage is also linked to anxiety, which is concerning when more than 45% of teenagers report being online “almost constantly.” College students like us are following similar trends. 
• Not to mention, spending too much time on the phone is actually linked to feeling more lonely - the opposite of what it is supposed to be doing. 
• Americans spend an average of 7 hours on technology. These numbers are increasing exponentially. 
• Constant technology usage can also cause eye strain, headaches, fatigue, and decreased creativity. 

Of course, with online learning and remote work, stepping away can be difficult (and impossible to completely avoid) and not all internet usage is bad. But it’s important for us to think about when it might be best to take a break from social media to rest. But what can we do to unplug?

Unplugging
Finding some time to disconnect, even for a little bit during the day, can improve your mood and overall health. This article gives a few great examples of how taking time to unplug can be beneficial. Taking time to unplug can mean different things for different people, whether it’s exercise, journaling, meditation, or spending time with friends and family. For more benefits about unplugging, be sure to check out the Press Pause campaign’s page for Unplugged, this month’s theme. Be sure to follow us on social media at @GVSURecWell for more information and giveaways related to unplugging. We encourage you to take some time to rest, relax, and find some time for yourself this month by spending some time unplugged.

By: Sofia Hessler, WIT Peer Educator

Image Credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills

Categories: Rest
Posted on Permanent link for A World of Constant Distraction on January 29, 2021.