How many times a day do you check your phone? Whether it’s responding to a notification or the kind of mindless scrolling we’re all guilty of when there’s nothing better to do, research shows that most people also check their phones 58 times a day, while the average person spends 3 hours 23 minutes every day on their phone, equivalent to around 50 days a year.

But how do you feel when you’re without your device? Does the thought make you nervous, angry or even a little sad?

You’re not alone. The term nomophobia, aka the fear of being separated from your phone, was coined in 2008 by research that linked anxiety disorders to the overuse of mobile phones.

The study found that nearly 53% of British people who used mobile phones admitted feeling “apprehensive” when they lost their phone, ran out of battery or had no network coverage. The same study also revealed that around 58% of men and 47% of women suffered from mobile phone anxiety. Not being able to maintain connectivity with loved ones was listed as the main reason for their phobia, while the level of stress evoked by device separation was found to be on par with “wedding day jitters”.

It’s no secret that we live in a 24/7 age where our attention is constantly being directed to our devices. But from embarrassingly high screen-time reports to ‘phubbing’ our family and friends, it’s clear that our digital habits need to change. 

However, nomophobia isn’t just about not being able to scroll TikTok or check WhatsApp. A more recent study published in the Journal Of Technology In Behavioral Science suggested that individuals who suffer from nomophobia may have low self-esteem and find difficulty generating connections with others, further contributing to their feelings of stress.

Being constantly connected to the world around us has its benefits, but in the current global landscape, the drawbacks are just as evident. So for the sake of our eyes, our relationships and our stress levels, maybe it’s time to switch off for a while.

Images: Getty