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Nomophobia – the irrational fear of being without
a mobile phone or the inability to use your phone
(due to a lack of signal or being out of power) – is one
of the biggest fears in the modern world. A study from
the telecommunications equipment company Huawei in
early 2017 found the average Australian spends 2.5 hours
a day on their phone, equalling out to 38 days a year. But
of course, this is just the average, with the numbers from
heavier users balanced by those who aren’t as ‘obsessed’.
Today, people struggle to leave work at work, or switch
off their phones and laptops, both of which are necessary
to give the brain a chance to recharge. As a result, our
mental health is suffering, with more people combatting
higher anxiety levels than ever before. There is also a lack
of face-to-face interaction with friends and family, causing
many of us to feel somewhat lost and empty.
So, starting today, put your phone down, spend some
quality time with your loved ones, go on a date, watch
a movie together, go to yoga, relax in a bubble bath...
do whatever you need to do on a daily basis to give
your brain a chance to truly switch off.SWITCH OFF,
NOW!
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GET A
DAILY DOSE
OF SUNLIGHT
Don’t let those winter blues get the
better of you! Low levels of sunlight
can impact your wellbeing, as well as
increase joint pain and achy bones due
to a deficiency in Vitamin D. Sunlight
not only provides us with 90 per cent
of our Vitamin D, it also boosts our
supply of serotonin (also known as
‘the happy hormone’).
During the darker months, head
outside between 11am and 3pm
for at least 15 minutes, exposing
your skin to the sun. If the chill of
winter is stopping you from doing so,
talk to your healthcare team about
taking a daily supplement.
Alternatively, book a holiday
and chase some sun! ➤diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2018 131good advice