Is Your Smartphone Hurting Your Relationships?

The amount of time we spend communicating electronically has increased dramatically since the introduction of the smartphone. Because we only have a limited amount of time each day, smartphone use can cause us to spend less time with others, which can negatively impact our lives over time.
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For what? So hearty Research shows that building strong social relationships is one of the best things we can do for our mental and physical health, and that it may be easier for us to build those relationships in person. Participating in face-to-face social interactions tends to improve our mood and reduce depression. Activities that involve other people – such as attending religious services or participating in sporting activities sport – also have positive effects on our mental health. Without these experiences, our mental health suffers.

The convenience of smartphones has made it easier to forgo meaningful social interactions. Although only 23 percent Some people admit to occasionally using their phones to avoid interacting with others, the rest of us just resort to whatever’s easier. We can browse our friends’ Facebook pages instead of asking them how they are. We can choose to watch Netflix instead of going to the cinema with friends. However, for optimal mental health, we need to prioritize in-person interactions whenever possible. (Don’t know how to do it? Here are some tips Get rid of your phone.)

To build these strong personal relationships, we also need to be mindful of how we use our phones when we are around other people. When you are with someone and they start using their smartphone, social interaction begins tend to be of lower quality. As you’ve probably experienced, this can lead to disconnection, stagnant conversation, and feeling unheard. Most people think it is unacceptable to use a smartphone at social events, and 82% believe that using a smartphone at social gatherings at least occasionally disrupts conversations.
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However, we continue to use it OUR Smartphones. In a study89% of smartphone users said they used their phone during their last social gathering. And most people find that their own smartphone use distracts little or no attention from the group.

To make matters worse, as we use our smartphones during social interactions, we also reduce our own own Experience. A study suggest that people who use their smartphones while eating with friends experience less interest, pleasure and more boredom than others. A similar phenomenon has been observed in other types of social interactions.

We seem to ignore the fact that using our phone in the presence of other people can have a negative impact on our lives, even if we are fully aware of the harm caused by other people.

So when you’re tempted to pull out your phone at a social event, try to remember how it feels when someone else does.

In some situations, stopping using the phone may not be enough. Research points out that smartphones can be very distracting, with more than half of Americans saying smartphones make it more difficult to give others their full attention. Some research Additionally, there is evidence that the mere presence of a smartphone on a table – even when not in use – during a meaningful conversation can impact empathy, trust and the quality of relationships between people.
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Imagine how you feel when you pour your heart out to someone and they don’t really understand you or respond to you – maybe even looking at their phone from time to time. The ability to be present and listen attentively is important for building trust with others. And when we don’t, we put the health of our relationships at risk – something to remember the next time you have an important conversation.

This is what we often think – or at least we are told – Social networks like Facebook and Twitter can help us communicate with others. However, it turns out that using electronic devices for social media doesn’t work particularly well, at least in the short term.

A Study in progress showed that our mood and sense of social connection are no better when we communicate online than when we don’t socialize at all. The more a person interacts with others, especially online, the more their mood deteriorates and their sense of social connection diminishes.
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It’s human nature to need connection. So instead of passively browsing online or social media, which we almost always do alone, opt for something that requires the active participation of others. For example, a study found that high school students who chat online or use computers with friends are more likely to have higher quality friendships. This suggests that technology can be used to build stronger relationships.

Although most research suggests that face-to-face interactions should take precedence over electronic interactions, face-to-face interactions are not always possible. What happens if a parent travels for work or a close friend moves out of state?
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Research suggests that Electronic interactions can be useful for establishing and maintaining connections it could not exist otherwise. Actively chatting or connecting with people you can’t see in person appears to have benefits, such as feeling more socially connected.

If necessary, it seems particularly useful to seek social support via smartphone. For example, patients of a study were divided into four groups. During minor surgery, they were required to text a stranger or companion, play a distracting game (Angry Birds) on their phone, or not use their phone at all. Ultimately, people who texted a companion or stranger felt less pain medicine than those who did not use their smartphone at all. This research shows we get many benefits from social connections Smartphones can offer if no other option is available.

In summary, smartphones can harm our social lives in various ways. At the same time, they can make many daily tasks easier. The key is to determine when and for whom they are useful or harmful.

If you can’t imagine getting rid of your smartphone, consider this simple advice: connect with others, mostly in person, and keep your smartphone for emergencies.
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Originally published by The Great Scientific Center for Good.