Reducing smartphone usage by even one hour makes us less anxious and more satisfied with life, while also encouraging us to exercise more.
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This is according to a new study conducted by researchers from Ruhr-Universit?t Bochum in Germany. They wanted to determine if human life actually is better off without a smartphone and how much less use per day is beneficial for us.
Researchers recruited 619 people for their study and split them into three groups. Around 200 people put their smartphone to one side for the week, 226 reduced the amount of time they used the device by an hour and 193 didn¡¯t change anything in their behaviour.
Researchers found that both completely giving up the smartphone and reducing its daily use by one hour had positive effects on the lifestyle and well-being of the participants. The group that reduced use saw these effects to last longer and showed more stability than in the abstinence group.
Researchers also interviewed participants, asking about their lifestyle habits and well-being right after the intervention as well as a month later and four months later.?
They asked about how active their lives were, how many cigarettes they smoked in a day and how satisfied they were with their life, while also asking about any signs of depression and anxiety.?
The one-week intervention completely altered the usage habit of the participant in the long term. Even four months after the intervention ended, members of the abstinence group saw their phones around 38 minutes less per day than before.?
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The group that spent one hour less per day with their phone during the intervention used it 45 minutes less per day, four months after the intervention ended compared to before.
They also reported an increase in life satisfaction, time spent in being physically active as well as reduction in depression and anxiety.?
Researchers conclude stating that while abstinence did have a positive impact overall, one doesn¡¯t need to give it up completely. Instead, they could look at an optimal daily usage limit to get the best of both worlds.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.?