Terrifying effects scrolling on your phone as soon as you wake up has on you
Topics: Social Media, Technology, Health, Mental Health, Phones
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Social Media, Technology, Health, Mental Health, Phones
If you're the type of person to scroll on your phone as soon as you wake up, then you might want to read on.
According to a study put together by the International Data Corporation, 80 percent of smartphone users check their devices within 15 minutes of waking up.
Whether that's scrolling through Instagram, replying to text messages, or seeing how many new potential suitors you have on Tinder, we're all guilty of doing it.
While it seems like a harmless thing to do after crawling out of bed in a morning, there's actually some negative side effects it can have on you.
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In a recent survey conducted by KPMG, college students and working individuals aged 20-30 were quizzed about their morning tech habits.
"Morning scrolling specifically refers to the practice of engaging in this behavior shortly after waking up," the survey explained.
"It often involves checking social media updates, reading emails, browsing news, or catching up on messages.
"While it’s a convenient way to stay connected and informed, the nature of endless content can also make it difficult to control the amount of time spent on screens, leading to potential distractions."
There were some pros to having a nosy on your device in the morning, but the survey also found some 'notable downsides'.
One of the the cons was increased stress and anxiety.
"For many, the flood of information especially negative news or comparisons with others can contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety," it explained.
"This can create a negative mindset that carries throughout the day."
A second is reduced productivity - because we're all guilty of doomscrolling here and there.
This may lead to 'delays in starting the day's activities, setting a pattern of procrastination' because you've spent more time on your device than you'd planned.
There's also the impact it has on a person's mental health, largely because of the 'perfect' lives people seem to lead on their social media.
Understandably, this can 'diminish self-esteem and create feelings of inadequacy' which is not the way you want to kick your day off.
Linking back to morning scrolling reducing productivity, it can disrupt your morning routine as well.
The survey detailed: "If scrolling is the first thing you do, it can delay important morning activities like exercise, meditation, or even having a proper breakfast, which could otherwise set a more productive tone for the day."
In a bid to avoid these things from happening, it's advised that you limit your scrolling time to 10-15 minutes, that you 'scroll with intent' - (i.e catching up on news), and that you schedule scrolling breaks throughout the day so that you can check up on your social media pages.