By choosing to watch this video, you've shown a willingness to improve. Most people won't watch it or implement the solutions, but if you do, it promises positive change in your life.
Addiction is not limited to substance abuse but also includes excessive phone usage, such as mindlessly checking the phone and wasting time on social media despite knowing there are better things to do.
Scientists conducted an experiment on rats to understand addiction. They placed a pleasure button for the rat, but it had to cross an electrified barrier and endure increasing pain each time it pressed the button. Despite hunger and facing excruciating pain, the rat kept pressing the pleasure button until its death, revealing how much our brains crave reward and pleasure.
Dopamine is the chemical in the brain responsible for pleasure and reward. When released, it creates feelings of happiness and pleasure, leading to addictive cravings. This addiction can occur not only with substances like alcohol and cigarettes but also with activities such as using a phone.
Our attention spans are affected by our phone usage, as demonstrated by the high number of people checking their phones in the early hours. Social media companies employ addiction engineers to keep users on their phones longer, leading to wasted time and procrastination.
Our brains exhibit neuroplasticity, meaning they can reorganize based on our experiences. This phenomenon explains why addictions worsen over time, leading to the need for more extreme forms of pleasure. Whether it's pornography, alcohol consumption, or hard work, our brains become accustomed to a certain level of dopamine and seek even greater pleasure.
Pleasure and pain are processed in the same place in the brain. Doing something difficult without distractions can tilt your brain towards pleasure, compensating for the initial pain. This explains why hard work leads to a sense of pleasure at the end of the day.
Identify the times when you are likely to use your phone, such as late at night after studying or early in the morning. These times are dangerous for phone addiction.
Identify and reorder your home screen to create barriers for addictive apps. Delete social media apps and use the browser version consciously. Turn off notifications to avoid constant distractions. Consider using apps like Forest to help with focus.
Instead of using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for instant pleasure, replace them with hobbies such as cycling or jogging. Initially, there may be a lack of enjoyment but over time and skill development in the hobby, it becomes more fulfilling than the temporary dopamine spike from social media.
Doing something difficult leads to a sense of accomplishment and reward. By avoiding distractions like social media, you can experience the satisfaction of completing challenging tasks.