As the continued use of these devices has become usual for millions of users, especially if we focus on the social networks and the messaging tools, a division that is clearly dominated by the most used instant messaging app, of course, WhatsApp, as most of the user know this very well.
WhatsApp Addiction: How To Know And Overcome It?
Nowadays we basically spend our maximum time with our smartphones, and sometimes more than we should, simply due to the enormous functionality they offer, as they have become one of the most essential elements in our daily life. As we use them simply to take pictures, play games, work, save documents and keep in touch with others in different ways, like social networks, calls, video calls, SMS, messaging applications, and much more, as the list is quite broad. Hence, the continued use of these devices has become usual for millions of users, especially if we focus on the mentioned social networks and the messaging tools, a division that is clearly dominated by the most used instant messaging app, of course, WhatsApp, as most of the user know this very well. This type of messaging applications has been improving considerably over the years, or you could even say that they have even become addictive for some users, and the fact is that many people who in most cases are not even aware of that addiction they have with the world’s most used instant messaging app WhatsApp. Hence, for at least once, we should investigate this issue, and it is possible to do a self-analysis simply to know if we are actually using this app, of course, WhatsApp more than we should, or if we have become addicted to it. According to some experts on the subject, this is an addiction that is generated, since when using the messaging application, dopamine receptors in the brain are reduced, in other words, using WhatsApp is pleasurable, hence the enormous amount of time we spend looking at the messages. Moreover, this type of addiction to certain applications like the one we mentioned above, of course, WhatsApp have the same effect on our brain as the one that for example some drugs produce. In this way, we can simply consider ourselves addicted to the app which is in question, of course, WhatsApp. As if we can not avoid looking at it while driving or walking down the street, could very dangerous and it has also increased the number of accidents in recent years, especially among the youngsters.
Symptoms of WhatsApp addicts
Among the first symptoms that a user has that could be considered as addiction to the messaging app, WhatsApp, he or she will lose hours of sleep while connected to the app, and even the query affects our personal care as well. This is something that little by little can be increased, since we are realizing that we “lose” several hours a day writing and reading messages, reviewing conversations, looking at the status of our contacts, checking if the messages sent have been received or not, and much more. Hence, all this, over time, can be derived, as dependence and addiction progress, in anxiety attacks by not being able to access the app in certain circumstances, which can also mean that we quarantine part of the real world, our relatives, friends, and coworkers. Moreover, this type of technological addiction may end up bringing other major illness like insomnia, irritability, nervousness, depression, and high levels of anxiety. Taking into account all the comments, if we do a bit of self-analysis and we can easily realize that we are willing to lose hours of sleep, food, classes, work or avoid personal relationships in order to use WhatsApp, basically, we are likely to be addicted.
Solutions to overcome WhatsApp addiction
The expert warns about the situation of youngsters, whose dependence on the “app” is reaching alarming levels, as there are more traffic accidents and pedestrians have become careless on the street, as we told earlier. As using WhatsApp gives a pleasant sensation, regardless of what we are doing at that moment. When a notification arrives, the areas of the brain that put us on alert to escape or attack a dangerous stimulus are activated, hence, “it simply forces us to look at the different messages that arrive”.
Here are some key tips to avoid the use of WhatsApp to overcome the addiction:-
Configure WhatsApp to avoid problems. Activate the airplane mode or flight mode. Disable it when you are in leisure hours. Do not let them control you, of course, your contacts. Block all the unnecessary contacts and groups.
These are some key tips to overcome WhatsApp addiction, but, the fact is that if you are addicted then simply you have to keep in your mind that whatever you do, the first and last thing is that you simply have to increase your Willpower and remain constant on your pathway to quit, that’s it. So, what do you think about this? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below. And if you liked this post then simply do not forget to share this post with your friends and family.
