It is not healthy to consider the habit of checking one's phone every five minutes as normal. Many people repeatedly check their mobile phones without any urgent reason. This habit—checking the phone even when there are no notifications or messages—can gradually impact daily tasks, concentration, sleep, and stress levels. Dr. Rakesh Chadda, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explains that repeatedly checking the phone every five, ten, or thirty minutes disrupts the workflow and can negatively affect daily productivity.

**Checking the phone every five minutes is not ideal**
Dr. Rakesh Chadda notes that checking one's mobile phone every five or ten minutes is not a healthy habit. Frequent phone-checking interrupts the task at hand. However, there are situations where checking the phone might be necessary—such as waiting for a flight or train reservation update, or expecting someone's arrival. In such instances, checking the phone repeatedly is understandable. Yet, checking the mobile phone frequently without a specific reason can adversely affect daily activities and increase stress.

Dr. Chadda explains that curiosity—specifically the anxiety about missing a message—is often a reason behind this frequent checking. A person might feel that a new message has arrived and worry about missing it. However, checking a message fifteen or thirty minutes later is unlikely to cause any major life changes. Frequent phone-checking disrupts work, hampers productivity, and can increase stress levels; it can also impact a person's concentration and mental health.

**Impact of checking the phone at night on sleep**
Dr. Rakesh Chadda explains that both the body and mind need to be relaxed for proper sleep. If a person repeatedly checks their phone every five, ten, or fifteen minutes during the night, their attention is constantly diverted. The light emitted by a phone stimulates the brain. Additionally, watching videos or listening to audio on the phone keeps the brain active, whereas a dark environment and a calm mind are essential for good sleep. Consequently, frequently checking the phone at night can disrupt sleep patterns.

**Prolonged habits can increase stress**
Dr. Rakesh Chadha explains that if a person habitually checks their phone frequently over an extended period—thereby consistently disrupting their sleep—it can impact both mental and physical health. Issues such as stress and anxiety may escalate. Furthermore, this habit can negatively affect work productivity and the ability to concentrate.

**How ​​to reduce the habit of checking the phone**
Dr. Rakesh Chadha suggests that the first step in curbing this habit is to set specific boundaries for phone usage. One can decide to avoid constant checking and instead maintain intervals of a few hours between uses. For instance, if your bedtime is 10 PM, it is advisable to put the phone away around 8:00 or 8:30 PM. While it is acceptable to answer the phone for urgent calls, one should avoid the habit of repeatedly checking messages or the device without a genuine need.

PC Social Media