Do you have the habit of reading in the toilet?
It is a common habit, but with cellphone use, this number increased even among people who didn’t have a habit of reading, did you know that?
According to British research, a person spends an average of 3 hours a week in the toilet. It exceeds, by a lot, the 10-15 minutes recommended, which will total about 1 hour and 45 minutes a week.
If you are wondering where all the extra hours came from, the answer might be cell phone use in the toilet. But that shouldn’t be a surprise since 75% of Americans have admitted using their phones in the toilet, are you one of them?
Let’s see 6 alarming reasons for you not to spend more than 15 minutes in the toilet:
You will be more stressed and anxious
Using your phone while in the toilet will not only keep your brain in ‘stress mode’ but also distract you from your daily tasks. If you need a break during your day, try meditating or exercising. Keeping your body active will activate your brain too.
Phones are playgrounds for germs
Did you know that phones can easily catch and spread germs? Avoid taking your phone with you as it can collect germs from the toilet and sink while you wash your hands or flush.
Hemorrhoids and other rectal issues
According to doctors, the ideal is sitting for 1 to 15 minutes while on the toilet. More than that puts unnecessary pressure on your rectum, which may lead to hemorrhoids or even rectal prolapse.
You waste your time
According to research, we spend an average of 90 minutes a day on our phones, 3.9 years of our lives. That means phones can distract us from our work and tasks. Did you know that people lose 5 hours a week on things not related to their work?
You see the toilet as a means of escape
According to a 2016 study, participants used their phones to suppress negative feelings and emotions. The same study showed that people were using their phones to fight off boredom. As a result, the continuous use of phones in the toilet can seriously affect our mental health.
On the other hand, a positive result of this study is that phones actually help some people deal with stressful situations.
And last but not least: you get addicted to your phone. One of the three main symptoms of phone dependency is the fear of going out without your cell phone. The other two are the fear of not sending or receiving text messages and the false sensation of receiving notifications.
Although many scientists aren’t comfortable using the word ‘addiction’, there are signs that this is actually happening. Most addictions are linked to dopamine transmission. Phones offer the same wellness experience, making users happy whenever they interact with someone.
Negative results of excessive phone use include low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.
Have you ever felt consumed by your phone? Have you tried reducing your screen time and, if yes, did you notice any changes in your general health?
Source(s) / Reference(s):
Inactive Brits spend twice as long on toilet per week
The Relationship Between Hemorrhoids and Smartphone Use
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03444389
Mobile phones are hazardous microbial platforms
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-14118-9
Mobile phone addiction is associated with impaired cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression of negative emotion
