New Research Shows How Phone Addiction Can Increase Stress and Anxiety

Mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives. These gadgets are essential for everything from social media and online transactions to photography. However, some people become so dependent on their phones that they wake up at night to scroll through them and find it difficult to put it away. If you’re one of these people, this information is crucial for you, as your phone addiction can significantly increase anxiety, according to recent research.
 

What does the research show?

According to a recent report in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior, excessive phone use, including constant scrolling and viewing various content, can lead to issues such as anxiety and depression. The study, conducted with 800 university students from the US and Iran, found that prolonged phone use can contribute to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Particularly, those who use their phones at night and engage with negative content experience adverse effects on their health, as it fosters negativity in the brain and leads to a more dejected outlook on life.

Social media's impact on health

Last year, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy released a health advisory highlighting the detrimental effects of social media. He noted that exposure to negative content can lead to negative thinking and psychological weakness, contributing to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Mobile Phone: A Silent Health Threat

National Institute of Health reports that excessive phone use, especially before bedtime or during the night to check calls or messages, can degrade sleep quality. This negatively impacts overall health by increasing stress hormones, weakening the immune system, reducing appetite, and affecting breathing, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health. Using your phone at night keeps the brain active, causing more stress.