I was a phone addict and it was making my stress acne worse – so I LOCKED it away
A 'PHONE' addict mum has resorted to LOCKING away her iPhone and swapping it for old school Nokia every night - to 'take back control' and help banish her stress-induced acne.
Molly O'Brien says spending eight hours a day dealing with customers and scrolling through social media made her feel 'constantly overwhelmed and stressed'.
On a family walk last weekend the 27-year-old's uncle remarked how peaceful life was before smartphones, inspiring an idea to ditch hers at night.
She sealed her iPhone away in a £49 digital lockbox on Friday [Oct 25] and began using a Nokia 105 she bought for £13 instead.
Molly restricts herself to using the social-media-free device between 6pm-7am, meaning she feels 'more present' to spend quality time with her daughter Delilah, three.
The co-owner of a herbal supplement company says she had bad acne while at a previous job but got it under control when she left.
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She believes her new digital boundaries will ensure she keeps her skin healthy and stops the acne from returning.
She's pleased to have cut her screen time from eight hours to four and shared her experience in a TikTok viewed more than 230,000 times.
Molly, from Urmston, Greater Manchester said: "I felt overwhelmed, tired and constantly available then I realised things didn't need to be like this.
"I was checking my work messages the second I wake up and the second I go to sleep so I was stretching my workload over the whole day.
"When I got home from that walk I decided I was going to order a lockbox and a Nokia.
"I felt 6pm as a reasonable time to lock my phone away so I could still keep my business running but have my downtime with my little girl too.
"The first night I kept picking up my Nokia to check my notifications so I realised it was a habit. Phone addiction is real.
"I've constantly felt busy and now I can see we're creating our own hectic minds. I'm not overwhelmed now.
"When I went for a meal with my family I realised how much more present I was compared to if I had my smartphone.
"I struggled from bad acne and I think stress is the biggest cause of that so putting these boundaries in place will really help, a million per cent.
"It's changed my life because I don't want to be on my phone every second I'm with my little girl.
How to tackle phone addiction
Mobile phone addiction is becoming a growing concern, with many people spending an excessive amount of time glued to their screens. This constant engagement with our devices is not just a harmless habit; it can lead to a range of health issues. Experts have warned that the overuse of smartphones can contribute to problems such as eye strain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by phone screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder for individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Moreover, the addiction to phones can have psychological effects. The pressure to stay constantly connected and the barrage of notifications can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Social media, in particular, can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as people often compare their lives to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed online. This can lead to a vicious cycle where individuals seek validation through their phones, further entrenching their addiction.
To mitigate these effects, it is important to establish healthier phone usage habits. Setting boundaries, such as designated phone-free times or areas, can help reduce screen time. Engaging in activities that do not involve screens, such as reading a book or going for a walk, can also be beneficial. By taking proactive steps to limit phone use, individuals can improve both their physical and mental well-being.
"It has cut my screen time in half from eight hours to four because even after working I could easily just scroll on my phone for hours.
"People aren't neglecting their children but it's about being present in the room and switching off to spend time with your kids."
Molly, who says her mum has bought a Nokia too, plans to keep up the bizarre routine and looks forward to locking her iPhone away every night.
Her TikTok, where she admits being addicted to her phone, was captioned: "Yes, social media is amazing but wow it's addictive.
";[I was] sick of pointlessly scrolling at random s**t all day and night. Take back your control."
One commented: "I love this. In this day in age this is a massive sacrifice and I fully acknowledge how hard this is but you are such an angel.
"It will strengthen your relationship with your kids and your own mental health.
Another said: "I need to do this for my son's sake! So do you just have a different number on your Nokia?"
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Molly replied: "Yes! And not everyone has it."
A third added: "This is such a good idea! I really struggle to put my phone away at night and end up doom-scrolling for hours when I need to be sleeping."