Monday, March 31, 2008

Are You a Nomophobe?

Which of these two scenerios frightens you most:

A) Your mobile phone could be more dangerous for you than smoking or asbestos.

B) You leave the house and suddenly realize that your cell phone isn't with you.

If your answer is "B", then you may suffer from nomophobia.

Nomophobia is the fear of being out of contact with your mobile phone. Experts say this phobia affects nearly 53% of mobile phone users.

Personally, I've never experienced withdrawal symptoms or anxiety attacks when I've left my cell phone at home by accident. I've only suffered frustration that I can't remember anyone's phone number on my own.

Remember when we used to have to memorize phone numbers? Actually, I used to write them down in a little address book that I kept in my purse. And sometimes, I left my purse at home by accident and found myself in the same phone number crunch. But I digress...

I think this Nomophobia is all about the fear of being "out of the loop". We've put so much pressure on ourselves to be available to anyone at any time. We feel a sense of calm that we are in demand, that someone needs to contact us. We enjoy that feeling of importance, even if we let the call go to voice mail!

Here's what you can do to keep your stress level down next time you are without your cell phone:

1) breathe slowly

2) embrace the silence and the calm

3) repeat these words to yourself......crap.......someone's calling me

....no, seriously I've got a call coming through. Gotta run!!

-Mary-Lynn

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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