Are You a SLAVE to Your Smartphone? Learn to Take Back Control with MJ Murray Vachon

MJ Murray Vachon is an LCSW and business owner with more than 48,000 hours of therapy sessions and 31 years of teaching her Mental Wellness program, Inner Challenge in schools, community groups and Notre Dame Football. 

In this episode:

• MJ shares how cell phones can increase stress and anxiety by overloading our brains with too much “feel-good” dopamine, similar to a sugar rush, leaving us feeling drained.
• MJ explains how overusing phones can mess with our natural ability to enjoy simpler pleasures, like a walk or time with friends, because we’re so used to the constant stimulation.
• She talks about a client who dramatically improved her mood and sleep just by reducing her phone time — proof that small changes make a big difference!
• MJ introduces the “ACCT” method for reducing phone use: Awareness, Creating phone-free zones, Curating what we look at, and Taking phones out of the bedroom.
• MJ recommends setting times when the phone is totally off-limits, like during family dinners or evening wind-downs.
• She encourages being mindful of what we consume on our phones — asking, “Is this life-giving or life-sucking?”
• She suggests using a traditional alarm clock so your phone doesn’t tempt you during the night; this can help avoid sleepless scrolling and improve rest.
• She mentioned going into the science of cell phones on a deeper level on her podcast – you can listen to it here: https://tinyurl.com/MJMVCalm