Anxiety: Ubiquitous Technology Increasing; What do we do?
With the prevalence of smartphones and instant gratification, anxiety is becoming more and more common among millennial and future generations. Smartphones allow for us to look up nearly anything available to human knowledge in a few seconds. An unread text message, a ‘read’ text, but no response. These are causing us to develop new avoidance behaviors from ghosting, ignoring friends, and skipping out on social events. At this point, why even read the text if it’s going to cause you harm?
There are an increasing number of apps available (Headspace, Pacifica, Calm, etc.…) that claim to help with reducing anxiety disorders. I’ve tried Pacifica, which employs cognitive-behavioral techniques, like deep-breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and reducing cognitive distortions. Headspace is more focused on daily meditation, which is excellent for reducing anxiety in the moment, but has limited long-term benefits. It seems like everything around us causes anxiety and it’s hard to get away. These apps are great if you’re on your phone all day and can take 10 minutes to use your phone for your mental health.
Still, I don’t think phones are great for self-care. One of my favorite things to reduce anxiety is to turn off my phone and go hiking or camping if time permits. I don’t do it enough. Nature has a counteracting effect on the nervousness of living in a bustling city. Without the constantly distracting cars, smog, and noise, one is able to reflect on themselves and find themselves in an entirely new environment. New experiences can change the brain and improve our perception simply by breaking typical habits.
Like most of us millennials out there, I lived without a cell phone until 2001 and without a smartphone until 2011. (I too, used to play outside with the neighborhood kids). While I’ve initially felt anxious and uncomfortable without a smartphone, us older millennials lived without one for a number of years. It may never be possible to return back to a time before having the google at the touch of your fingertips, but you can always silence your phone or turn it off. Smartphones aren’t everything and they’re making us miserable. If you can, ditch your phone and go out for an adventure. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and even a temporary decrease in anxiety.
