Why using our smartphones can be contagious

Do you feel the urge to yawn almost immediately after seeing someone else do it? You're not alone.

As it turns out, though, yawning is far from the only behavior we can deem contagious.

A study published recently in the Journal of Ethology made a startling finding: The same psychological process that makes yawns contagious also influences people to check their smartphones.

People have a need to follow the norms imposed on them by others. No one wishes to be the lone outsider who defies social norms.

In turn, it prompts them to mirror as closely as possible the actions of those in their orbit. This is known as the chameleon effect. As another example, you've probably noticed how people tend pick up each others’ gestures or mood during a conversation.

I suppose these findings shouldn't strike us as a total surprise. After all, people seem to LIVE on their phones. Whether they're walking to school, in the bathroom, watching a game, eating dinner, or, most frightening of all, driving, they seem perpetually glued to the devices.

I'd go as far as to say this has turned into an epidemic -- an addiction that can possibly put lives in danger.

It may be that people feel socially isolated when around individuals who are paying more attention to their phones than their own surroundings. So what do they do? Mimic them, of course.

While phones offer us a bevy of conveniences, staying "connected" can actually make us feel more disconnected from those with whom we interact in person -- including close friends and family -- which can strain our relationships.

As with all other matters concerning our health and well-being -- from our diet to our sleeping habits to the amount of stress we take on at work -- it's important we strive toward moderation when it comes to phone usage.

You can always get another phone, but you cannot recoup the time lost while using it.

Sure, phones allow us to capture memories, but once you're done snapping a few pictures or videos, put it away and enjoy the moment. The Facebook or Instagram chatter can wait a few hours.

So the next time you see others busy with their phones, why not pull out a book instead?

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