Going out into the countryside is a common recommendation to reduce the use of mobile devices.
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However, a recent study by scientists at the University of Vermont (USA) showed that this is not always the case, EurekAlert reports.
As part of the study, researchers tracked the smartphone activity of 700 participants for two years. It turned out that despite popular belief, participants’ smartphone activity actually increased when they visited city parks and other urban green spaces.
Greentime, or outdoor time, has long been recommended as a way to regain our attention from the demands of everyday life, scientists say. “While previous research has shown that short trips to city parks can provide a ‘digital detox’, we have seen text messages and phone calls rise.
At the same time, the study found that longer trips to wilderness areas, such as forests or nature reserves, helped people break away from their screens and focus away from their smartphones: participants who visited such locations saw a significant reduction in screen time during the first three hours, compared to visiting urban places for the same time.
Smartphones have an incredibly powerful impact on our attention, which will undoubtedly grow in the future – this is what many technology companies are working on, scientists emphasize. “Given the link between mental health and our digital lives, we need more research like this to help identify ways to encourage a healthier relationship with technology.
Source: EurekAlert
People underestimate how much they enjoy spending time by themselves.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.