There is more anxiety.<\/strong>\u00a0More individuals are suffering from \u201cphantom vibration syndrome\u201d\u2014the perception that a cell phone is vibrating when it isn\u2019t. This has been suggested as evidence of anxiety among those obsessed with mobile phones (Rosen et al. 2013). Some individuals suffer anxiety when they can\u2019t check devices and\/or social media frequently, but researchers have yet to determine whether this anxiety harms health (Durocher et al. 2011).<\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult to disconnect from work.<\/strong>\u00a0Among professionals and managers, increased technological connectivity leads to longer work hours and more challenges disconnecting during nonworking hours (Madden & Jones 2008). Those aged 30\u201349 have the most difficulty disconnecting fully from work which is impacting their life balance.<\/p>\n People find it hard to concentrate.<\/strong>\u00a0Only 38% of employed adults who go online, use email, or own a cell phone say technologies have made it harder for them to focus at work, while 50% of those who own a PDA or Blackberry note problems concentrating at work (Madden & Jones 2008). These statistics, however, predate the proliferation of\u00a0iPhones\u00a0and other\u00a0smartphones. The typical U.S. worker is interrupted every 3 minutes (Silverman 2012).<\/p>\n Sleep is disrupted, and depression sets in.<\/strong>\u00a0In a study of 4,100 young adults aged 20\u201324 conducted at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, heavy mobile-phone use was linked to an increase in sleeping difficulties in men and an increase in depression in both men and women. Heavy computer use was correlated to increased stress, sleeping problems and depression in women and to sleeping problems in men (Thomee\u00a02012).<\/p>\n There\u2019s an increase in distracted-driving and distracted-pedestrian accidents.<\/strong>\u00a0Nearly 400,000 people are killed or injured each year in distracted-driving accidents in the United States. Distractions include anything that diverts manual, visual or cognitive attention from driving. Since texting includes all three, it is of particular concern (NHTSA 2013). Pedestrians using mobile phones while walking cross unsafely into oncoming traffic significantly more often than other pedestrians (Weksler\u00a0&\u00a0Weksler\u00a02012).<\/p>\n The ability to learn is being undermined.<\/strong>\u00a0Theories of how humans learn emphasize the importance of downtime, which allows the brain to process new information. Some experts are concerned that constant stimulation interferes with this learning process (Richtel\u00a02010b). Students who accessed\u00a0Facebook\u00a0more frequently while studying had lower grade-point averages than those who avoided it (Rosen et al. 2013a).<\/p>\n Multitasking is a myth.<\/strong>\u00a0This already mentioned fact is backed up by\u00a0a\u00a0lab-based study. Heavy media\u00a0multitaskers\u00a0were worse at ignoring irrelevant but distracting information than light media\u00a0multitaskers\u00a0(Ophir,\u00a0Nass\u00a0& Wagner 2009). Heavy media\u00a0multitaskers\u00a0perceived themselves as being more effective than they actually were (Sanbonmatsu\u00a0et al. 2013).<\/p>\n In addition, spending unnecessary time in front of computers slows your metabolism and leads to weight gain.<\/p>\n As someone who has done much of his exercising outdoors, I can\u2019t emphasize the great benefits of leaving that cell phone behind and enjoying the fresh air, the green trees and letting your mind relax and without worrying about that phone ringing. \u00a0It is very rare that any of us deal with true emergencies. \u00a0It is understandable that a doctor or security personnel may have to be connected most of the time. \u00a0But for you and\u00a0I, messages can be left and you\u00a0can call back later. A mere 20 years ago, the idea of constantly being available was practically non-existent.\u00a0And you don\u2019t have to be! \u00a0Give yourself a break. \u00a0Unfortunately, the addictive nature of cellular and wireless devices in all forms has brought people to the unthinkable when it comes to keeping many different Mitzvahs. \u00a0Be careful and be aware.<\/p>\n Digital\u00a0technologies have\u00a0enhanced many areas of our lives and can even be lifesaving, but don\u2019t\u00a0be enslaved by them. \u00a0Keeping your digital distractions to a minimum will\u00a0\u201cadd hours to your day, days to your year, and years to your life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alan Freishtat<\/strong> is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a BEHAVIORAL CHANGE and WELLNESS COACH with over 19 years of professional experience. Alan is the creator and director of the \u201c10 Weeks to Health\u201d program for weight loss. He is available for private coaching sessions, consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs both in his office and by telephone and skype. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at\u00a002-651-8502<\/a> or 050-555-7175<\/a>, or by email at\u00a0alan@alanfitness.com<\/a> Check out the his web site \u2013www.alanfitness.com<\/a> US Line: 516-568-5027<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We\u2019ve all been there. You are at a Chassidic concert, the singer and orchestra are singing a beautiful song lifting your\u00a0Neshoma\u00a0to new heights, and then all of a sudden, you hear\u00a0a loud, disruptive ring coming from the pocket of\u00a0the man sitting three rows in front of you. \u00a0Your moment is ruined!\u00a0Perhaps you are in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":34137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,15,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-mental-health","category-physical-health"],"yoast_head":"\n
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