Researcher Shares Tips to “Unplug” From Your Smartphone

Melissa Huey, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, was featured in the AARP article “25 Great Ways to Manage Your Stress.” Huey, who has researched the impact of smartphones on anxiety and mindfulness, explains that notifications from our phones release dopamine, which makes us feel good, and some people become so dependent on their phones that they develop a fear of being without it, known as nomophobia. However, the opposite can be true for other individuals. 

“For other people, having a continuous stream of updates and being at others’ beck and call can generate a sense of urgency, leading to increased anxiety and stress,” she says. To curtail this, Huey recommends keeping your phone outside the bedroom when you sleep, turning off notifications or using the “do not disturb” setting, and regularly taking breaks from the device for set periods, like 30 minutes or an hour. “A good time to start doing this is also when you’re engaging in a particular hobby you enjoy, perhaps while watching your favorite television shows,” says Huey.