Do you have a mobile phone addiction? I did and I’m still working on my incessant need to check my phone.

I remember when I didn’t have a cell phone. It wasn’t but a few years ago when I started to actually text people. Since then work email, personal email, texts and even Facebook have consumed me. It consumed me to the point where it was disruptive and dangerous.

Why do we need to constantly check our phones? These devices have evolved to the point that they completely control our lives.  Recent research I read stated that many of us check our phones every ten minutes! And, another survey had 84% of respondents say that they could not go a single day without their phone! I used to laugh at the terms, “electronic leash” and “crackberry”.

So, let’s acknowledge that this is a BIG issue and it is deteriorating our relationships. It is robbing you of precious moments with your kids, your family, your friends and loved ones. I understand that it is the key way that many of us communicate, but I implore you to set up “no phone zones”.

These are areas and times that you commit to putting the phone down or putting it away.  The most important no phone zone is in your car. It goes without saying how dangerous it is.  Just put the phone away and concentrate on getting yourself safely to your next destination…the texts and emails can wait.

A few other “no phone zones”: dinner time, evenings with your kids, date night, important events, bedtime. I promise, putting your phone away and enjoying the people you are with will not only help you to enjoy these moments and be more present, it will also reduce your stress. There will still be time after these important events to catch up on whatever texts, emails or Facebook posts you missed (you see, even reading this now, I hope you realize how insignificant these things actually are).

I can speak from experience that this is hard to do. I’m a driven person who manages a lot of responsibilities. I use my phone as a tool in managing my time and commitments, I’m not denying the positives of the device.  I’m just saying we don’t need to be connected all the time.

Here’s a little suggestion for reminding yourself when you are in the “no phone zone”:  put a special wrapper on it. The one in the photo above was actually made by my daughter. She was very proud of the cell phone case she made me. It breaks my heart that I used my phone so much that she thought of this as a gift for me. You can simply copy a personal note, a sweet drawing from your kids or even a photo. Just wrap it around your phone and you will think twice about checking it.

Join me in building “no phone zones” in your home. You won’t regret it.