Our lives are getting complicated. As the complexity increases so does the increase in impatience within us. We do not have time for anything. We want to utilize even the 15 minutes inside the loo as sitting there doing your stuff is no longer a necessity. The initial purpose was to utilize those 15 minutes but, in the process, we have increased it to more than an hour sometimes. The whole reason for saving 15 minutes initially got defeated due to the increase in time. As I have discussed earlier in another article, one of the reasons for the addiction to tech is not wanting to be bored. That 15 minutes also, sitting on the pot we do not want to be bored. Earlier we would be thinking about things. Most of the time used to get great ideas during those 15 minutes as that is the time, we have nothing else to do in our brains. Phone usage also stopped our thinking at that time. It’s a tool that has evolved to become an essential part of our lives. 

In the olden days, we used to call people on the phone. It’s convenient and more efficient than writing messages or sending emails. It’s also a great way to stay connected with everyone, especially when you’re on the go. The Internet has increased the advantages of the phone many folds. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant menu, a flight schedule, or just want to know the weather, your phone is your ultimate guide. It’s much faster and easier to find answers online than trying to call someone for directions.

In the modern workplace, many people use their phones to work. From sending emails to attending meetings. It has become an essential tool for our productivity. It saves time and allows people to work from anywhere.

The presence of phones in the bathroom, including the toilet, has become very common and there could be various reasons for it. People take their phones into the bathroom to keep themselves entertained while they are using the toilet. Our phones have become powerful entertainment devices. Whether it’s browsing social media, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram you name it, or playing games or watching videos, phones provide a distraction during what can otherwise be a dull moment. It made the iPods obsolete for listening to music. It’s a tool that has transformed our lives, and we’re glad to have it but it has its own downside.

People try to multi-task whenever possible. The bathroom is seen as a place where one can catch up on emails, read articles, or respond to messages utilizing the time that was for a mundane activity. In some cases, people use their phones in the bathroom to maintain privacy. If you live with others and want to have a private conversation or a small me time, the bathroom is one of the few places where you can ensure some privacy.

Phones are small, portable, and readily available. As they are easy to carry and are very accessible. This accessibility makes them a default choice for a quick distraction. Keeping the phone with you in the bathroom can be a safety precaution also. If there’s an emergency or if you need assistance, it can be crucial in some situations.

We have got so used to our phones that it has become an addiction. We can’t imagine a moment without it. The addiction has got to such a state that we can’t keep it down. Even if we do, we pick it up to check for messages, emails or new shorts, YouTube videos, TikTok you name it.

Expectations and the fear of missing out.

At the root I think is our underline fear of missing out. What if I miss out on seeing the message as it comes? What if I miss that shorts video as it comes? This is the first step in our addiction journey. The second step is the expectations we have of people. When we send messages or emails, we expect people to respond immediately. Over time we let people know about this expectation.

“Why did you not respond to the message I sent 10 minutes earlier”.

“Why did you not respond to the email I sent 5 min earlier”,

are some of the things we explain to our friends and loved ones. The result of this is now our ingrained behavior as we do not want to be in that awkward discussion about not responding immediately.

Addiction

As it gets worse it converts into a proper addiction. Our brain gets used to the constant overdose of our phone usage. If it doesn’t get it for some time, it forces the person to go and check the phone. Due to the expectations and fear of missing out discussed earlier, the net result is the addiction that we get into. This addiction is no different than substance addiction. We need the proper help to get out of it. This addiction causes us to take the phone for the basic thing that should have been completed in 15 min. As we sit on the pot browsing the internet or looking at messages and videos, we lose the sense of time and end up spending nearly an hour inside the loo.

What can be done?

This habit is not going away so better to take some precautions at the minimum. It is essential to maintain a balance and consider hygiene and etiquette. Using your phone in the bathroom can potentially spread germs and bacteria. Clean the phone regularly and wash your hands after using it in the bathroom. Bathrooms are not the most sanitary places in our homes, bacteria, and germs can build up on them easily. Research has shown that smartphones can be contaminated with fecal bacteria when used in the restroom. This can potentially lead to the spread of illness-causing pathogens.

Consider the time you are spending in the bathroom. Check if your average time in the bathroom has increased due to its usage. Phone use in the bathroom can extend your bathroom visits and time. While using your phone in the bathroom can help pass the time, it leads to excessive screen time and distracts you from more important tasks at hand. This can lead to health issues, hemorrhoids, and reduced bladder control in the long run. There could be others in the family wanting to use the bathroom. Not many people have multiple bathrooms in the home.

It leads to poor posture and discomfort over time as you are spending prolonged periods hunched over your phone. It can lead to potential musculoskeletal problems. So watch the time you spend and make sure to concentrate on the essential stuff for which you are there. If you use your phone during nighttime visits, it can affect your sleep. The bright screen can interfere with your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep again.

Define specific rules and boundaries for phone use in the bathroom. You can decide not to bring your phone into the bathroom during certain times of the day or for specific activities. Designate certain areas in your home as phone-free zones. The bathroom, the dining table, or the bedroom could be there in it. Make it a rule not to bring the phone into those areas. Set time limits for phone usage in the bathroom. You can use timer apps or your phone’s built-in features to limit the amount of time you spend on your device. Most smartphones these days have few features like a Downtime mode or Focus Mode that allows you to schedule times when certain apps or notifications are restricted. Use this feature to limit phone access during bathroom breaks. There are apps available to track and manage screen time. Set daily limits for specific apps, especially those you use in the bathroom.

Instead of relying on your phone for entertainment and timepass in the bathroom, consider alternatives like keeping a book or magazine. Make it harder for yourself to get to it. Keep it in a different room or a charging area outside the bathroom. Make it less convenient to bring it with you.

We need to do serious introspection of our habits. If we can train our brains for this addiction, we can do the detox and get out of this addiction too. The key is to distract our brain when it is craving that addiction. Maybe meditation is one thing that can help. When we want to go to the phone maybe we can do a minute of meditation or a simple breathing exercise.

You can look at my article on breathing “Anxiety — how breathing exercises can Help”.

Distract yourself when you are craving the phone. Go play with your pet if you have one. Play with your kids if you have kids. Talk to your wife or loved ones in your house. Pick up a book, reading is a very good way to detox. Pick up some habits, it could be stamp collection, coin collection, or whatever you feel is your passion. Developing your passion as a habit is very important. Habit forming of your passion is better and more important in your fight against addiction to the phone. Leave the phone on the table and do not mix it with the loo.

It may take some time to break this habit. Determination and adherence to the established rules you laid down earlier, will help you in achieving a healthier balance between technology and other aspects of your life.

If you think that you have control and are not addicted to the phone then my challenge would be to go without checking your phone for a few hours. I want to hear, the challenge is accepted.