{"id":11949,"date":"2019-06-18T06:50:34","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T11:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenashvillemom.com\/?p=11949"},"modified":"2019-06-18T07:01:38","modified_gmt":"2019-06-18T12:01:38","slug":"hung-upauthor-hayley-evans-q-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenashvillemom.com\/hung-upauthor-hayley-evans-q-a\/","title":{"rendered":"Hung Up:Author Hayley Evans Q +A"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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TNM:<\/em><\/strong> What inspired you to write this book?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HE:<\/em><\/strong> The simple answer is: for my sanity\u2019s sake.  Over the last few years, the number of notifications I get on my phone has crept up.  Most days, between work, teachers, and coaches, I send and receive 90+emails, 90+ texts, and get a gazillion other push notifications from apps like TeamSnap, Game Changer, and Remind.  It got to the point where I was ping-ponging between tasks, chores, and kids all day long\u2014zipping down one rabbit hole after another\u2014so that my brain never got to rest. It took a toll on me.  I felt stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious, and my migraines became more frequent and more severe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and then there were my children who always seemed to have a screen in their hands.  When the news started reporting how dangerous screen time was for their physical and mental development, I got scared and started doing my own research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TNM:<\/strong><\/em> Why do you think people are so addicted to their phones? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HE:<\/em><\/strong> The answer is two-fold.  First, an expectation has evolved over time that we have our phones on or near our bodies at all times and will respond immediately, or near immediately, to the notifications we receive. This propels people to never put their phones down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, when your phone pings or you get a \u201clike\u201d on social media, your brain gets a hit of dopamine.  The addiction center in our brain doesn\u2019t discriminate.  Whether it is drugs, sex, porn, or the smartphone, the addiction response is the same. The bottom line is 40% of Americans, and 50% of teens, are legitimately addicted to their smartphones.  We have to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TNM:<\/em><\/strong> What are a few tips for putting the phone down? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HE:<\/em><\/strong> –AVOID SENDING ACTION-REQUIRED OR TIME-SENSITIVE TEXTS. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This perpetuates the intrinsic pressure most feel to never put their phones down and is the reason 75% of people say the phone is never more than 5 feet from their body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– TURN THE PHONE OFF OR PUT IT ON SILENT <\/strong>when you are involved in an activity or spending time with someone.  <\/strong>Being more present and mindful has its own host of physical and emotional benefits.  Letyourself fully engagein what you\u2019re doing or who you\u2019re with.  Your mind and body will thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-READ THE BOOK AND TAKE THE BIG HANG UP 7-DAY CHALLENGE<\/strong>  With any endeavor, the stronger the \u201cwhy\u201d behind what you\u2019re doing, the greater the success.  My book is the \u201cwhy,\u201d and the 7day challenge is the \u201chow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TNM:<\/em><\/strong> What are the benefits of being more hands free? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HE:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n