The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

What exactly is “mindfulness”? It’s a bit tricky to define, but it involves remaining present and in control, no matter what’s going on around you.

Mindfulness is all the rage in many ways. There has been a huge increase in meditation and yoga apps, for example.

Yet, there’s one thing that all of us tend to carry on us at all times that can really get in the way of mindfulness. If you read this article’s title, then you probably already guessed what I’m talking about—yep, our phones.

Many of us are spending more time than ever before on our smartphones. After all, we use them for both our personal and professional lives, and they contain the entire internet, including social media apps that are engineered to be addictive. We all know how easy it is to get distracted in no time.

Yet, when we get distracted and are no longer living intentionally, we are no longer being mindful. So, how can you beat your phone addiction to gain more mindfulness? Read on to learn more.

Mindfulness and Phone Addiction

If you’ve ever thought about using social media less, chances are you’re on the right path. Many of us know full well how much time we are wasting on our phones, and in fact our phones can easily tell us just how much nowadays.

If you seek greater mindfulness, you’ll have to come to terms with your dependence on technology. We benefit in many ways from technology, of course, but there’s a point when our usage can become unsustainable and even quite harmful.

In addition to this article, you may be curious about learning more about mindfulness. If so, you may appreciate the helpful online resources on the topic available through BetterHelp.

Signs You May Be Addicted to your Phone

Now, let’s look at four signs that may help you understand whether you have become truly addicted to your phone.

You Reach for Your Phone without Thinking

Mindfulness is about intentionality. It’s about being in control of your thoughts and actions.

But if you’re constantly reaching for your phone without even realizing it? Your relationship with your phone has become unconscious, a kind of reflex. This is a surefire sign that you’ve become attached to your phone to an unhealthy degree.

Your Phone Is a Coping Mechanism

Do you sometimes use your phone to cope? If it’s one of the only ways that you feel you can de-stress, you should consider whether or not you’ve developed an unhealthy attachment.

While scrolling on your phone may temporarily help distract you from your problems, it might end up making you feel even worse (ironically).

Oftentimes, addictions signal that the person is coping with some kind of pain or issue. If your phone is your coping mechanism, it’s likely a sign that you’re struggling with something deeper. Try to swap your phone for a healthier coping mechanism like exercising or taking up a hobby.

Your Phone Use Is Hurting Your Real-life Relationships

Have your phone habits been keeping you from living a more fulfilling life? Have you decided not to spend time with someone because you’d rather be on your phone? Are you not being truly present with the people who are around you because your head is buried in your phone?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your phone use is taking away from your real-life interactions. These interactions have the potential to be much more fulfilling than digital ones. If you’re constantly glued to your screen, it’s a clear sign that you’re addicted to it.

Your Overall Well-Being Is Negatively Affected

If your overall well-being has taken a hit due to your phone use, then it likely borders on addiction.

Fortunately, help is available. You can start monitoring your phone usage, turn it off when you find yourself reaching for it spontaneously, and even try a social media “detox” and delete the apps that you’re most addicted to for a week or a month.

Conclusion

It’s hard to be a “modern” person these days without a smartphone. We tend to carry them everywhere, and they can be incredibly useful. And yet, they also have the potential to disrupt our lives and hinder our search for true fulfilment and mindfulness.

If the above signs rang any bells for you, it’s in your best interest to consider taking a break from your phone so you can improve your overall well-being.