5 smartphone habits to break right away
Most of us can’t do without a smartphone. The gadget helps us communicate easily, find the information we’re looking for, shop for our favorite products, and so much more. On the downside, we spend hours glued to our screens. This can take a toll on our personal lives, affect physical and mental health, and even cut short the life of our devices. Here are some harmful smartphone habits to break immediately.
Scrolling before bedtime
Endless scrolling on social media before bedtime makes it hard to fall asleep at night, leading to restlessness and tiredness the next day. Screens emit a blue light that affects melatonin production in the brain, the hormone that controls a person’s circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Without melatonin, it can be difficult to fall or stay asleep. Experts advise keeping the phone away for at least an hour before bedtime. You can instead read a book or listen to a podcast to relax your mind.
Always keeping the phone with you
If you keep your phone in your pocket, you’ll be constantly tempted to pull it out and browse. Not to mention, you’ll be on the alert for notifications. Therefore it’s best to carry it in your purse or backpack. If these options aren’t feasible, put the device on silent mode when keeping it on you.
Purchasing cheap cables
Smartphones are a long-term investment. Be it the latest iPhone or a flip phone, we want our gadgets to last for as long as possible. But, many don’t realize that something as simple as using cheap cables and chargers can damage electronic devices and reduce their lifespan. Faulty wires can permanently damage the battery and increase the risk of a fire or electrocution. So, invest in a quality cable to protect yourself and your phone.
Draining your battery completely
Allowing the battery to drop to 0% could damage your cell phone. It can cause a drop in performance, and your phone may lose charge more quickly. One expert-recommend way to prolong battery life is not to let the charge drop below 30%. Many also have the habit of charging their devices overnight. That, too, can be harmful. For a longer battery lifespan, it should be unplugged soon after it’s sufficiently charged.
Constantly checking your phone
Many people constantly text, look at alerts and notifications, and even play games on their phones. This habit can do a lot of harm in the long run.