An expert on This Morning has revealed the key steps to take if you feel you are addicted to your phone.
Research by King’s College London found that one in eight young people want help in reducing their use of smartphones, as well as discovering links between ‘problematic smartphone use’ and depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
The expert in question was a Neuroscientist TJ Power who appeared on the ITV morning show to discuss ways in which young people can reduce their phone usage.
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TJ is a Sunday Times Bestselling Author as well as scientist at the DOSE Lab, a lab dedicated to ‘advancing research on how modern lifestyles impact brain chemistry and well-being’ and aiding in modern mental health.
He appeared on This Morning opposite Kat Deeley and Ben Shephard to discuss smartphone addiction, something he has spoken about at length, ironically, on social media.
In this appearance, he said that the key first step for people to take is to go ‘towards boredom’.
He said that it is important to go towards ‘low stim environments’, stating going out into nature as an example.
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TJ added that this contributes to a psychological theory called ‘attention restoration theory’, saying: “If you were to walk without your headphones in nature… your attention isn’t so overstimulated, so it gets this moment to repair itself.”
The Neuroscientist went on to state that the goal is simply to ‘destimulate’, adding that whilst you may think you are bored during, for example, a walk in the woods, you have to go through the ‘boredom barrier’.
This takes place about 15 minutes into destimulation and is when your brain settles and will be okay with being in a more chilled state.
TJ has also spoken in the past on his Instagram about an experiment him and his fiancée did which they called ‘meals, bedroom, bathroom.’
The rules are simple – you don’t use your phone whilst eating meals, in bed, or whilst on the toilet.
He stated that him and his fiancée noticed that they started ‘talking and laughing’ and that without screens you end up ‘creating your own fun’.
Speaking about this challenge on This Morning, he suggested people try it as a challenge for the next 24 hours, saying: “Some of them may seem easy, some of them may seem hard, a lot of us for example will not always eat and watch stuff at the same time.
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“If you just run it for a day the idea of more physical separation from the device where you put the phone in another room so you don’t have the quick temptation.”
He said that within one day you may notice the benefits and find your attention span growing.
One viewer commented on the exchange on Instagram, saying: “Low stim! Such a clear concept that everyone should practice.”
Another added: “I started to do my walks without my phone like about 2 months ago, and its the best, now i even forget my phone at home a lot of times !!
“I bought his book and he explained everything really well. I used to suffer from CFS and his advice really shined a light into my life.”
Topics: This Morning, Mental Health, ITV, TV, TV and Film, Social Media
Michael Slavin