Can reducing smartphone time really make you happier? Scientists from the University of Krems in Austria conducted a study that proves that reducing smartphone use to two hours a day can significantly improve mood, reduce stress levels, and further improve sleep quality.
Law and Business writes about this.
The experiment involved more than 100 students, with an average age of 23. They were divided into two groups: one group spent no more than two hours a day on their phones, while the other continued to use their gadgets as usual - an average of 4.5 hours a day. The scientists measured stress levels, symptoms of depression, sleep quality and general well-being using questionnaires.
After three weeks, those who used their phones less felt better: their symptoms of depression decreased
by 27%, stress decreased by 16%, and sleep improved by 18%. Participants also noted a 14% improvement in their mood.
However, returning to old patterns of behavior quickly led to a deterioration in mental health.
Daily smartphone usage has increased dramatically in recent years, with the global average now at 3 hours and 46 minutes. According to a 2022 WHO study, 38% of teenagers in Austria spend at least 5 hours a day on their phones.
