Your Mobile Phone...When Do You turn it off?

[blondguy]

Hi everyone! New members are always welcome to post too 🙂

There is no doubt that cellphones are a super invaluable tool in our social lives. There can be times though when we dread our mobile phone ringing...vibrating or beeping. Especially when we under stress or are experiencing even low level anxiety/depression

The health benefits are many as we are not on 'standby' for an incoming call that may or may not occur

Please let us know if and when you turn your phone off and why

• Having some peace of mind?
• Healing from ongoing anxiety/depression?
• Wanting to enhance the quality of your sleep?
• Just having time out for yourself?

my kind thoughts

Paul

• Thanks to RX for this thread concept "Phones put you under so much stress don't they , although many people don't realize"

[geoff]

Hello Paul and RX as well, another great thread because the world revolves around the mobile phone as it performs so many different functions.

We use it for everything accounts, play games, take pictures, record videos, listen to music, write and receive messages, use the Internet, watch TV and even a wake up call.

I turn it off when I have my cat nap during the day, just as take my landline off the hook, but when I go to bed I keep my mobile on low volume, that's probably going to change and I'll have both off, although I have no trouble falling asleep.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[sparrowhawk]

My phone is never on full volume, always on vibrate or silent (if I am in a meeting). I only turn my data on or connect to wi-fi when I need it. I find that it can be distracting but also prevent me from having a good night's sleep.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

Paul - thank you for your thread! This is such a good topic since phone use has a big impact on our mental health 🙂 I'm curious though, what were your own answers?

Personally I never turn my phone off but I do put it on silent at night-time. Sometimes I'll put it on silent for appointments and things too but I'm not that popular haha. I think the biggest change for me though is that while I don't turn it off, I do use it less. I've silenced most of the app's notifications which has helped me become much more intentional about when I decide to pick up my phone rather than just doing it out of habit!

Curious to see everyone else's answers.

RT

[Guest5643]

Hi paul

I turn my phone off for a few days every now and then and let my data run out to force my eyes to have a break cause since getting my phone a few yrs ago ive devolped chronic dry eye syndrome I keep my phone on night mode now to ease the blue light.

Lynne

[white knight]

Hi Blondeguy

A good topic.

I found many years ago it is how I respond to my phone matters.

For example. I have a dear friend that is well, more self centred than I like. He rings me and straight away he ploughs into his problems without any introduction. I know he has suffered a car accident and his issues with TAC and other departments are demanding but if I am not in a good space to answer him I let it go to messagebank. Hours later I'll ring him once I've done my daily chores etc.

I've trained myself not to "save the world". Doing my best to help others begins with myself as my priority...or I cant help them.

So, responding to every phone call was a reflection of my anxiety years ago. It didn't do me any good.

TonyWK

[Soberlicious96]

I never turn mine all the way off, so to speak, mainly because it's my only/main link of communication, but I do turn it down often!

At night when I go to bed I turn it down to vibrate only, and I also turn the screen brightness all the way down.

At work, it's in my locker, also on vibrate.

Other than that, it's on 'noise' and that's okay with me 🙂

[Quercus]

Hi Paul and a wave to everyone,

Great idea for a thread and very important.

I don't turn my phone off either unfortunately but I do have ways to give myself time out from it. The notification noise on a phone is one of the worst things for me when I feel tired or unwell. I don't like phonecalls much.

• Leave calls (and texts and emails) until I feel up to replying. It makes me feel guilty sometimes but too much contact overwhelms me at times.
• Set a separate alarm and leave my phone in the kitchen at night on silent.
• Phone stays in my bag locked away at work. If it is urgent the kid's school knows to call work.
• Don't change for other people. I don't use social media and don't want to.
• Let people know what to expect. So many people live on call (phone on them constantly) and often expect you to reply instantly. I let new friends know I don't keep my phone on me and sending extra texts or calls is just going to overwhelm me not make me reply quicker.

[quirkywords]

Paul,

whar a topical thread.

i had my first mobile phone in 2011, and my first smart phone in 2017.

I don’t answer phone calls as I have it turned off but I do like texts. Family get annoyed I don’t answer the phone.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

Hey Geoff....Thankyou for your post. When you switch off your phone prior to a catnap is smart as then we arent in a constant mindset that 'the phone may ring' thus providing us with a quality sleep

Hey Sparrow....always great to see you post! It can be distracting for sure especially when we need to nurture our own well being 🙂

Hey romantic_thi3f....Thankyou for your kind post Romantic! As you know everyone's mental health issues are different in severity. Just as per my own levels of anxiety in the past I find the cellphone can impede my recovery especially where mindfulness is concerned. With low level anxiety my phone is fine....yet combined with being oversensitised or having a 'tired mind' I dont think there is anything 'smart' about having it switched on...(just my humble opinion :-))

Romantic mentioned "I've silenced most of the app's notifications which has helped me become much more intentional about when I decide to pick up my phone rather than just doing it out of habit! Nice1 🙂

Hey Lynne....Thanks heaps for your help on this topic. You are stronger than I am yet 'night mode' is a smart move to prevent the stimuli of the 'blue light' that does over stimulate our brain activity when we are trying to have a quality sleep. Good1 🙂

Thankyou amazing people!

my kindest

Paul