Reduce Anxiety With Hypnotherapy in Weston Super Mare
March 2018

Hypnotherapy in Weston-super-Mare for Digital Anxiety

Smartphones and technology have made life easier in many ways — but they can also be a significant source of stress, anxiety and poor sleep.

Research suggests the average person checks their smartphone around 10,000 times a year — roughly 28 times a day. In this post I want to look at the link between technology use and anxiety, and share some practical tips for reducing your reliance on it.

Why technology can cause anxiety and insomnia

A study by Anxiety UK found that regularly using technology increased anxiety, particularly around social networking. Many participants became more negative over time, comparing themselves unfavourably to others and finding it hard to switch off. Almost half reported a spike in anxiety when they couldn’t get online to check emails or social media.

The study concluded that people already prone to anxiety can find technology acts as a catalyst that makes things significantly worse.

Part of what makes technology so hard to step away from is the dopamine hit we get from notifications — dopamine being linked to reward, pleasure and even addictive behaviour. Add in FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and it becomes a powerful pull.

Blue light from screens is a separate but related issue — it suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall and stay asleep, which in turn increases anxiety and low mood.

Practical tips for reducing digital anxiety

Turn off notifications — Most of the time we check our phones because they pinged. Silencing notifications reduces the constant pull on your attention, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Check in on a schedule — If going cold turkey feels too much, wean yourself off gradually. Set an alarm every 15-20 minutes and allow yourself a brief check-in. Over time, extend the gap until you’re comfortable going an hour or two without checking.

Filter your emails — Set up filters so only important emails land directly in your inbox. Everything else goes into folders to review later at a time you choose, rather than interrupting you throughout the day.

Limit blue light before bed — Switch off screens at least an hour before bedtime. Blue light suppresses melatonin and can worsen anxiety, particularly if you’re already prone to overthinking or worry at night.

Try a digital detox — Even 24 hours away from devices can make a noticeable difference to your stress levels, concentration and sleep. If that feels too long, even a couple of hours of screen-free time each day can help.

How hypnotherapy can help with digital anxiety

If these tips don’t quite cut it on their own, hypnotherapy can help address the underlying patterns driving the behaviour.

It’s not just about willpower — compulsive phone checking is often linked to anxiety, habit loops or emotional triggers you may not even be fully aware of. Hypnotherapy works at that deeper level, helping you understand what’s driving the behaviour and giving you practical tools to respond differently.

If you’d like to find out more, feel free to get in touch for a free informal chat on 07915 093588.