Smartphone increases stress

Do you often take out your smartphone to constantly check email, Facebook and Twitter updates? You may be at an increased risk of developing stress, a new US study suggests.

More than four out of five adults in the US (86 per cent) report that they often check their email, texts and social media accounts, according to a report by American Psychological Association (APA).

This attachment to devices and the constant use of technology is associated with higher stress levels, researchers found.

The excessive technology and social media use has paved the way for the “constant checker” - those who check their email, texts and social media accounts on a constant basis.

“Taking a digital detox is one of the most helpful ways to manage stress related to technology use,” said Lynn Bufka, APA’s associate executive director for practice research and policy.

The survey found that stress runs higher, on average, for constant checkers than for those who do not engage with technology as frequently.

On a 10-point scale, where one is “little or no stress” and 10 is “a great deal of stress,” the average reported overall stress level for constant checkers is 5.3, compared with 4.4 for those who do not check as frequently.

Among employed Americans who check their work email constantly on their off days, their reported overall stress level is even higher, at 6.0, the report said.

— PTI