Dear MDECOE Community,
Are cell phones a positive source in our lives or are they a harmful one? Some have argued that cell phones can give us tech neck and eye strain, and can have detrimental effects on our attention span and memory. However, based on findings from his study, UCI postdoctoral scholar John Hunter would argue that “smartphone interaction and mobile health applications can reduce stress, alleviate health disparities, and boost positive emotion.” He calls self-care phone apps “mHealth apps”, which can provide helpful biofeedback, like heartrate. Other apps can help reduce stress through meditation or by encouraging the user to take deep breaths. John Hunter argues that cell phone apps “also motivate users and let them track their progress. In addition, mHealth apps can customize ‘treatment’ to best manage a person’s particular illness or condition, whether it’s pain, stress, anxiety, depression or diabetes. Most importantly, they’re convenient and can provide a positive experience for everyone, including people who are uninsured, low-income or even homeless.” Assuming every person can afford a cell phone! Read more at https://news.uci.edu/2020/03/30/self-care-via-cellphones/
In the end, whether cellphones have a good or bad effect depends on the context. Sometimes overuse of cell phones can impact physical well-being negatively, contain stressful social media, or interfere with interactions with real people. Other times, when under tremendous stress, like during this pandemic, cell phones can be a lifeline to self-care resources, and a way to connect with family and friends when we can’t be together in person.
For a list of self-care cell phone apps and other resources, go to our COE self-care website for self-care resources for faculty, staff, and COE students at:
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
We are here to support you right at the other end of the phone!
Have a great week.
Warmly,
Shari and Josh