I had the worst stress acne until I locked up my phone and bought a Nokia brick
A ‘PHONE’ addicted mum has locked up her iPhone every night and swapped it for the old-fashioned Nokia – to ‘take back control’ and help banish her stress-induced acne.
Molly O’Brien says spending eight hours a day dealing with customers and scrolling through social media left her feeling “constantly overwhelmed and stressed.”
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During a family walk last weekend, the 27-year-old’s uncle noticed how peaceful life was before smartphones, which gave him the idea to ditch hers at night.
She sealed her iPhone in a £49 digital key box on Friday [Oct 25] and started using a Nokia 105 which she bought for £13 instead.
Molly limits herself to using the device without social media between 6pm and 7am, meaning she feels ‘more present’ spending quality time with her daughter Delilah, three.
The co-owner of an herbal supplement company says work stress previously caused her severe acne, but believes her new digital boundaries will help her keep her skin healthy.
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She’s happy to have cut her screen time from eight to four hours and shared her experiences on a TikTok that has been viewed more than 230,000 times.
Molly, from Urmston, Greater Manchester, said: “I felt overwhelmed, tired and constantly on call, but then I realized it didn’t have to be this way.
“I checked my work messages as soon as I woke up and as soon as I went to sleep, so I stretched my workload across the entire day.
“When I got home from that walk I decided I was going to order a lockbox and a Nokia.
“I felt 6pm was a reasonable time to put my phone away so I could still keep my business going but also have my down time with my little girl.
“The first night I kept picking up my Nokia to check my notifications, so I realized it was a habit. Phone addiction is real.
“I have been constantly busy and now I see that we create our own hectic mind. I am not overwhelmed now.
“When I had dinner with my family, I realized how much more present I was compared to when I had my smartphone.
“I was struggling with severe acne and I think stress is the biggest cause of that, so setting these boundaries will really help, one million percent.
“It’s changed my life because I don’t want to be on my phone every second I’m with my little girl.
How to tackle phone addiction
Cell phone addiction is becoming a growing problem, with many people spending an inordinate amount of time glued to their screens. This constant involvement with our devices is not just a harmless habit; it can lead to a range of health problems. Experts have warned that the overuse of smartphones can contribute to problems such as eye strain, poor posture and disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by phone screens can disrupt the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it more difficult for individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Moreover, addiction to phones can have psychological effects. The pressure to stay connected all the time and the barrage of notifications can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Social media in particular can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as people often compare their lives to the seemingly perfect lives depicted online. This can lead to a vicious cycle where individuals seek validation through their phones, further entrenching their addiction.
To mitigate these effects, it is important to develop healthier phone usage habits. Setting boundaries, such as designated phone-free times or areas, can help reduce screen time. It can also be helpful to participate in activities that don’t require screens, such as reading a book or taking a walk. By taking proactive steps to limit phone use, individuals can improve both their physical and mental well-being.
“It halved my screen time from eight to four hours as I could easily scroll on my phone for hours even after work.
“People don’t neglect their children, but it’s about being in the room and spending time with your children.”
Molly, who says her mother also bought a Nokia, plans to continue the bizarre routine and looks forward to putting her iPhone away every night.
Her TikTok, where she admits to being addicted to her phone, read: “Yes, social media is great, but wow, it’s addictive.
“[I was] I’m tired of scrolling pointlessly at random all day and night. Take back control.”
Someone commented: “I love this. In this day and age, this is a huge sacrifice and I fully recognize how difficult this is, but you are such an angel.
‘It will strengthen your relationship with your children and your own mental health.
Another said: “I have to do this for the sake of my son! So you just have a different number on your Nokia?”
Molly replied, “Yes! And not everyone has it.”
A third added: “This is such a good idea! I really struggle with putting my phone away at night and end up doom scrolling for hours when I need to sleep.”
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