Why Your Phone Might Be Making Your Anxiety Worse (and What to Do About It)

Apparently, People Still Don’t Know This…

Why Your Phone Might Be Making Your Anxiety Worse (and What to Do About It)

Have you ever noticed how good your morning feels when it starts slow? A warm drink, a few deep breaths, a walk outside. And then—BAM!—you open your phone. News, arguments, ads, bad news, more bad news... and suddenly the peace is gone.

You’re not imagining it. Studies show that heavy internet and social media use is linked to higher stress, anxiety, and even depression. Your phone, meant to connect you, can also flood your mind with fear, anger, and distraction. That’s because your brain is wired to respond to threats, and the internet constantly throws small threats at you: bad news, angry comments, scary headlines.

What Scripture Tells Us About Guarding Our Minds

St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8,
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things."

Notice he doesn't say, "Focus on whatever is trending," or "Spend all day looking at bad news."
We are called to guard our hearts and minds (Proverbs 4:23) because whatever we dwell on shapes us.

When we constantly feed our minds negative content, it’s like watering weeds instead of flowers.

Why It Matters for Christian Professionals

You have a calling—not just at church, but in your work, your family, your leadership.
But you can’t pour out wisdom, peace, and love if you’re constantly being drained by chaos online.

Modern science backs this up:

• A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes a day significantly reduced anxiety, depression, loneliness, and sleep problems.

• Another study in Behavior Research and Therapy showed that cutting back on phone use increased people’s overall happiness within just one week.

How to Reclaim Your Mind (and Your Mornings)

• Start your day offline. Spend your first 30–60 minutes without checking your phone. Pray, read scripture, move your body, or sit quietly.

• Set time limits. Use apps to block internet access during work hours or prayer times.

• Use your phone intentionally. Before you open an app, ask yourself: “Why am I opening this?”

• Choose real connection. Call a friend. Meet for coffee. Serve someone in need.

A Better Way

Phones and the internet are tools. Like any tool, they can be used for good—or they can hurt us if we’re careless.
Jesus calls us to live awake, not distracted. He said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light" (Matthew 6:22).

Guard what you let into your mind. Protect your mornings. Choose light over darkness.
Your peace, your calling, and your joy depend on it.