WORRIED I’VE GOT ADDICTED TO MY PHONE

Dear Coleen

Over the past few months, I’ve been constantly checking my phone – mostly social media, news sites and Whatsapp groups.

If I haven’t checked my phone for a few minutes, I actually feel a physical urge to pick it up.

I’ve definitely become a lot more reliant on it since lockdown and I’m worried I’m addicted to it.

It has coincided with me feeling really anxious most of the time.

I’m in my 30s with a husband and five-year-old daughter and have a nice life. However, I’ve been working part-time from home over the past few months and I’m used to going into the city three days a week for work. I’ve also felt very cut off from my colleagues and friends.

Can you help?

Coleen says

For many people right now, social media and news sites are anxiety provoking, but I also think many of us are looking at our phones a lot more because we feel a bit cut off from the outside world.

I lost my phone last week, only for an hour or so, but I went into panic mode because I don’t know anyone’s number. I also know if I’m on my phone a lot it can make me feel anxious.

I think the only way to tackle it is to consciously cut down on the amount of time you’re looking at it. When I took part in Celebrity Big Brother, the first thing they do is take your phone off you and I can’t tell you how liberating it was.

If you’re at home, choose a movie to watch or a series on Netflix, switch your phone off and stick it in another room. And then lose yourself in whatever you’re watching – you’ll find nothing much will have changed in a couple of hours.