Smartphones are essential to our personal and professional lives in the fast-paced digital society we live in today. While staying in touch is essential, it can also lead to unexpected consequences, such as the practice of “phubbing,” which involves neglecting others in favor of your phone. This seemingly harmless behavior can really strain relationships by making others feel ignored and unappreciated. People with emotional intelligence are aware of this influence and develop specific smartphone behaviors that improve their social interactions and promote real connections. Emotionally savvy people employ the three essential techniques listed below to ensure their smartphones do not harm their relationships.
1. Make a plan and establish goals for using your phone during social interactions.
People with emotional intelligence take the initiative to choose when and how to use their phones, particularly in social situations. They set specific aims to make sure they stay present with those around them instead of letting instinct control their actions. To lessen the need for impromptu decisions, this method frequently uses “if-then” statements.
For example: “I’ll put my phone on silent and wait to check it until after the meal if I’m dining with someone.” • “I’ll write down any tasks I remember on my phone during a meeting and take care of them later.” • “I’ll let the person know and give a brief explanation if I have to check my phone during a conversation.”
This degree of preparation enables people to remain completely focused and lessens the urge to grab the phone. Emotionally savvy people use these times to regain trust if they inadvertently lose focus and turn to their phone. “I apologise for that; you have my full attention now,” they would say. They make sure their connections stay solid and courteous by preparing ahead of time and handling mistakes with grace.
2. Keep the phone out of your immediate reach in your pocket
Even when your phone is off, studies have shown that the mere presence of it can impair cognitive function. During social interactions, emotionally intelligent people consciously put physical barriers between themselves and their devices because they are aware of this tendency.
Leaving their phone in a pocket, purse, or different room is a typical strategy. This deliberate separation strengthens their resolve to be present and lessens the temptation to grab for the gadget. They can avoid distractions and mindless browsing by putting physical barriers between themselves and their phones. This helps people stay focused during meaningful interactions.
This extra “friction” can be a subtle but useful technique for maintaining focus at times when self-control may waver. These boundaries enable emotionally intelligent people to put their relationships with others ahead of their relationships with technology.
3. Pause: Establish Phone-Free Areas to Allow for Uninterrupted Focus
People with emotional intelligence are aware that receiving phone notifications all the time can interfere with their concentration and make it challenging to be fully present with others. After an interruption, it takes an average of 23 minutes to regain complete focus, according to research. They prioritize giving their full attention to those around them by establishing designated phone-free zones and times to combat this.
They can stay focused during crucial conversations by turning off unnecessary notifications or putting the phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode. Designating specific spaces like the dining room or bedroom as “phone-free zones” further reinforces this behavior. In order to foster an atmosphere of respect and sincere connection, many emotionally intelligent people also form agreements with friends or family to put phones away during shared times.
They provide a peaceful, distraction-free environment that promotes deeper, more meaningful relationships by establishing boundaries and controlling notifications. This technique not only helps people feel less stressed, but it also highlights how important the person and the moment are.
Adopting certain smartphone habits can significantly improve our everyday interactions and the quality of our relationships. Emotionally intelligent people show respect, care, and consideration for the people in their lives by limiting their phone use, setting up phone-free zones, and organising their phone usage. Interpersonal interactions genuinely enhance our lives, despite the constant availability of the digital world.
