The problem of Internet addiction is a very common phenomenon today and, unfortunately, even among our friends there are people who have fallen into this addiction. How to recognize this ailment?
The Most Obvious Symptoms of Internet Addiction
1. Sleep and power are down
You often neglect eating and sleeping time in favor of spending extra time at the computer, you often sit behind the monitor for only 15 minutes, and still find yourself behind it after an hour, you don’t notice how you return to the Internet right after returning home.
2. Excessive attention to the Internet
Your work with the Internet is not only in searching and viewing the necessary information, most of the time you spend in aimlessly opening and closing the "windows" of social networks and email with a frequency of 5-10 minutes, in the hope of new messages or received updates.
3. Real life in the background
Increasingly, your free time is devoted to the Internet, you don’t go for a walk, you are not interested in the life of your friends and relatives, all your communication with them comes down to emoticons and messages on social networks, you have almost forgotten how to talk to people not only lively, but even by phone. The Internet is the only topic of discussion.
4. Health impairment
Joints, back, legs, eyes hurt from constant sitting. Posture, vision deteriorates, the reaction to external irritating factors is weakened.
So how do you deal with internet addiction? To begin with, it is necessary that a person himself realize that he has this problem. This is the most important element in order to get better. After all, if a person does not want to, then no one will help him get rid of the problem.
When the goal is determined, we begin to use the means.
- To begin with, you can experiment - take time and see how much it really takes you to find what you need on the network, and then, after writing down the final indicators, start trying to spend no more than that time on your computer every day.
- Make a friend - a dog or a cat. Taking care of your pet will take so much of your time and attention that there simply will not be enough on the Internet.
- Access the Internet only when necessary. Make a list of what you need to do (see mail, read news, get acquainted with the exchange rate, etc.)
- Ask the "knowledgeable computer specialists" to block your access to those sites on which you spend a lot of time empty.
- Engage more in "real business" - arrange repairs, go to visit friends, do a spring cleaning at home, visit interesting exhibitions, etc.
If you feel that the problem of Internet addiction has affected you too, then, fortunately, today there are many wonderful practicing psychologists who will help you find in real life what you are so persistently looking for in virtual.