Some people jokingly say they are addicted to their iPhone, while other people really are addicted. If you fit into any of these warning signs, then you may need a little time away from your iPhone. Just put it down, remember there is a life outside the iPhone and don’t come back until you’ve gone outside and talked with some friends (not through a text or instant message).
Constantly Checking Status
Are you checking your email and everyone’s online status as much as possible with your iPhone? Do you feel a cold sweat when you find someone updated their status and you didn’t know about it the second it happened? Also, do you have ringers and sounds set for every update imaginable?
People are interesting, but don’t let a bunch of updates on your iPhone make you into a nervous wreck.
FaceTime Replaces Talking
Seeing a spouse or child over FaceTime when you are away for any reason is a great way to stay connected with friends and family. But, if you prefer using FaceTime over actually talking with people, then you may have a slight case of iPhone addiction. Just put it down and talk to a real person. You’ll notice the difference.
Messaging People in the Room
Maybe FaceTime isn’t your thing. But how about this: have you ever sent an instant message to someone who is in the same room as you? Doing it as a joke is one thing, but it’s a problem if you seriously prefer to talk through an instant messenger rather than speaking.
Maxed Out Card
Do you scour the App Store for every new app? Also, do you buy a new app just because it is new and your iPhone needs to have ever app imaginable? Some people have seriously maxed out their credit cards just to buy iPhone apps, and if that doesn’t sound like an iPhone addiction, then nothing does.
Waterproof Cases and Excessive Protection
Getting a waterproof case and excessive protective accessories to keep your iPhone safe is one thing. Getting a waterproof case and protection to bring the iPhone along with you in ridiculous places (i.e., in the shower, to the pool, to the beach) is another. This is a surefire warning sign that you and your iPhone are spending way too much time together. Try leaving your phone at home sometime, it won’t kill you.
Overly Pimped Out
Basic accessories for protection aside, do you spend more money and effort pimping out your iPhone than on yourself? Or worse, does your bedroom and/or car look like a pigsty while your iPhone is bedazzled, bluetoothed, speaker-jacked, and has every customizable feature and iPhone accessory possible? Then you’re probably thinking too much about your iPhone and not enough about everything else in life that needs attention.
Turning Down Friends
Have you ever turned down going out with friends just to play games on your iPhone? This can be a major problem, because humans need social interaction. Next time your friends go out somewhere, be it a bar or restaurant, just put the iPhone down and go out with them. Even if you don’t like the place, it’s better to be with people and not machines.
Compulsive Unlocking
Do you ever pick up and unlock your iPhone for no other reason than to make sure it is OK? Some people do this when they first get the iPhone because it is a novelty. If you have had an iPhone for over a month and still find your heart racing just to unlock it for no reason, then you might have a problem.
Nightmares
Speaking about closing your eyes, have you had any nightmares about losing your iPhone? This is even worse if they are recurring nightmares and you wake up to clutch your iPhone in your hands. Definitely a sign of either an iPhone addiction, or some other psychological messiness you should look into. It’s terrible to lose an iPhone, but it’s not worth losing sleep over.
No Service
Some people hate losing service because they use their iPhone for work, and others lose their mind and start hyperventilating when they can’t check Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. If you find yourself irrational when you don’t have service, then maybe a little iPhone divorce should be in the making.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 signs that you are addicted to your iPhone. If you experience any of these signs, or a combination of them, then it’s probably time to put the iPhone down and remind yourself that life exists outside the iOS. Talk with some friends, go out on a date or just have fun without staring at the little screen.
Author bio:
Tom Demers writes for Zintro, a marketplace of experts in various fields that helps connect investors, lawyers, analysts, entrepreneurs, and more. Find an expert by industry sector and in various niches.
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