- What is the screens addiction?
- What is considered screens addiction?
- How much screens is too much?
- Some alarming screens addiction statistics
- Symptoms & Causes of the screens addiction
- Symptoms & Signs of screens addiction
- Possible causes of screens dependency
- Why is screens so addictive?
- Problem, bad effects & consequences of screens
- creating general health problems
- affecting your brain & mental health
- affecting your relationships
- How to stop your screens addiction
- Main steps and solutions to break the screens addiction
- Best screens blocker apps & software
- Best books to quit screens
- where to seek extra help?
Am I Addicted To screens?
Welcome to our digital detoxing series! A series on how to stop addictions to Fortnite, Facebook, Instagram, porn, Netflix, Youtube, Tinder… (find them all here).
Today, let’s talk about the screens addiction.
A screensaver is a program that automatically starts when a computer is idle for a period of time. It typically displays a moving image or pattern.
screens, a “real” addiction?
Officialy an addiction?
Let’s have a look to the DSM-5,the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Does it includes screens addiction?
Screen addiction is not listed in the DSM-5.
So what is the screens addiction?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it is still being researched. However, screens addiction is generally understood to refer to a dependence on electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This addiction can lead to negative consequences, such as social isolation, sleep deprivation, and poor academic performance.
What is considered screens addiction?
- 1. Preoccupation with screens: A person who is addicted to screens will often be preoccupied with using them. They may think about using them all the time, and may even plan their day around when they can use them.
- 2. Loss of control: A person who is addicted to screens may feel like they cannot control their use. They may try to cut back or stop using them, but find that they cannot.
- 3. continued use despite negative consequences: A person who is addicted to screens may continue to use them even though it is causing problems in their life. For example, they may keep using them even though it is impacting their work, school, or relationships.
- 4. withdrawal symptoms: A person who is addicted to screens may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using them. These can include irritability, anxiety, and depression.
How much screens is too much?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Some experts recommend limiting screen time to two hours or less per day, while others suggest that as long as it does not interfere with other activities, screen time can be unlimited.
Some alarming screens addiction statistics
There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on the individual and the severity of their addiction. However, some estimates suggest that as many as one in eight people may be addicted to their screens, with the average person spending around 10 hours a day staring at a screen. Screen addiction can lead to a number of negative consequences, including social isolation, sleep deprivation, and poor mental health.
Symptoms & Causes of the screens addiction
Why is screens so addictive?
Possible causes of screens dependency
There is no definitive answer to this question as the causes of screens addiction can vary from person to person. However, some possible causes could include a need for social interaction, escapism from real-world problems, or simply a desire to be constantly entertained.
Additionally, screens addiction can often be fuelled by anxiety or depression, as people may turn to screens as a way to avoid their negative feelings.
Signs & Symptoms of screens addiction
- 1. You have a hard time going more than an hour without looking at a screen.
- 2. You find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media or other websites when you should be doing something else.
- 3. You often have more than one screen open at a time and find it difficult to focus on just one thing.
- 4. You often feel restless or anxious when you’re away from your screens.
- 5. You spend a lot of time talking or thinking about screens and what you’re going to do with them next.
- 6. You often neglect your real-world responsibilities in favor of time spent on your screens.
- 7. You feel like you can’t live without your screens.
Problem, consequences & bad effects of screens
What are some benefits of screens
- 1. Screens can help you save time and energy by allowing you to quickly and easily find the information or content you are looking for.
- 2. Screens can help you stay organized by allowing you to keep track of your various tasks and projects.
- 3. Screens can help you be more productive by providing you with a clear and concise way to view and interact with information and content.
- 4. Screens can help you stay connected and informed by providing you with instant access to a wealth of information and content.
- 5. Screens can help you save money by allowing you to avoid printing costs.
But at the opposite, what can be some screens addiction problems addicts suffer from?
general health problems
There is evidence that screens can have a negative effect on your health. For example, too much screen time can lead to:
– type 2 diabetes
– high blood pressure
– high cholesterol
– heart disease
– some types of cancer
– sleep problems
affecting your brain & mental health
- 1. Screens can overstimulate the brain, causing restlessness and difficulty concentrating.
- 2. Screens can cause eye strain and headaches.
- 3. Prolonged screen time can lead to neck and back pain.
- 4. Screens can disrupt your sleep cycle, causing fatigue and irritability.
- 5. Excessive screen time has been linked to anxiety and depression.
Is screens bad for your mental health?
- 1. Screens can cause anxiety and depression.
- 2. Screens can cause insomnia and disrupt your sleep cycle.
- 3. Screens can cause you to lose touch with reality and become isolated.
- 4. Screens can cause you to become addicted and obsessed with social media and other online content.
- 5. Screens can cause you to develop negative body image issues.
affecting your relationship
There is no definitive answer to this question as the effects of screens on relationships can vary greatly depending on the couple in question and the specific circumstances surrounding their use of screens. That said, some research has suggested that increased screen time can lead to reduced relationship satisfaction and communication, as well as increased conflict.
Additionally, if one partner is using screens excessively, it can create feelings of jealousy or insecurity in the other partner. Ultimately, it is important to be mindful of how screens are impacting your relationship and to communicate with your partner about any concerns you may have.
How To Stop Your screens Addiction
So you think you are addicted to screens and you are wondering how to quit it? How to break and overcome your cravings for screens ?
Here are the best solutions, steps, ressources and help you can get to treat your screens addiction.
Main steps and solutions to break the screens addiction
- 1. Understand why you’re addicted to screens in the first place. This can be anything from social media to video games.
- 2. Set limits for yourself. This can mean setting a certain amount of time you’re allowed to spend on your phone or only using your computer for certain tasks.
- 3. Find other things to do. This can involve picking up a new hobby or planning activities that don’t involve screens.
- 4. Seek help if necessary. If you can’t seem to break your addiction on your own, there are professionals who can help you.
That’s what most documentation outhere is about… However, quitting a digital addiction can be a bit trickier than that.
So our team, after testing many ways, designed a bulletproof way to overcome them. Here are some clear and practical steps that are very powerful to quit a digital addiction, including screens:
1. Purge temptations
Cleaning your life from temptations is much easier than resisting to them. Disable or delete your screens accounts, change the password and hide it somewhere you can’t access easily, keep your phone / computer far away… Out of sight out of mind.
Here is a video from our course the The Digital Purge. on how to add resistance to your temptations, so you become so lazy to engage with them that you give them up:
Click here if you want to see more of the Digital Purge!
2. Spot & Reveal your emotional triggers
There are some reasons, often hidden ones, that your brain and your heart love so much screens. Those reasons act as triggers to pull your cravings. Rather than chasing the addiction, it’s a more efficient strategy to look at the feelings driving you toward it. That way you can cure and heal the feeling. You’ll feel better and the cravings will magically disapear.
3. Rewire to life
An addiction FOMO (fear of missing out) can be huge and really painful to resist, especally if it was here for a long time. However learning to live with it is necessary to build a life full of peace and joy. Strategies to fight FOMO and rewire to life include meditation, nature activities, social interraction, intellectual and creative projects, meaningful adventures… basicaly anything that fill your soul.
4. How to not relapse and fully recover?
It may takes days, weeks, months or even years. You may relapse a few times, but the most important is that you keep engaging less and less with screens. Each day you resist to it is a day weakening your brain connections with screens. From your patience and discipline will arise incredible mind strength, hope and wisdom.
Best screens blocker apps & functionnalities
Additionally, you can limit or block access to screens using those apps:
- 1. parental control software like net nanny
- 2. app blocker like appdetox
- 3. screen time management app like quality time
- 4. phone usage tracker like breakfree
- 5. in-built phone features like do not disturb mode
Best books around screens
- 1. “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr
- 2. “The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You” by Eli Pariser
- 3. “The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World” by Gabor Maté
- 4. “The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships, and Enhance Self-Esteem” by Guy Winch
- 5. “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg
where to seek extra help?
Do you need some support and help to stop and overcome your screens addiction? If you or someone you know is struggling with screens addiction, there are a few places to seek help.
First, check our course The Digital Purge. This course has already helped many digital addicts to rewire to what matter. But other options also exist.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best place to seek help for screens addiction will vary depending on the individual’s unique situation. However, some places to consider seeking help for screens addiction include therapy, support groups, and rehab centers.
If you’re struggling with an addiction to screens, know that you’re not alone. There are many people who have overcome this addiction and gone on to lead happy, healthy, screen-free lives.
The first step to overcoming a screens addiction is admitting that you have a problem. This can be difficult, but it’s essential if you want to make a change. Once you’ve acknowledged your addiction, you can start to take steps to change your behavior.
Cutting back on your screen time is a good place to start. Try setting limits for yourself and sticking to them. If you find it difficult to stay away from screens, there are apps and software programs that can help you block access to certain websites or limit the amount of time you can spend on your devices.
Seek out support from friends and family members who can help you stay accountable as you work to overcome your addiction. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for professional help if you feel like you’re struggling to make progress on your own.
To go further, please check our course The Digital Purge.