Experts Explain Why Replying To Text Messages Can Seem Like A Chore Nowadays
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Picking up the phone to reply a text message can feel like a chore in the current climate. If you have been wondering why this is so, psychologist Dr Alexandra Lash and therapist Caroline Given have shared with Bustle why they think some people are finding it hard to respond to texts nowadays.
Many people are now working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, forcing one of the main communication methods between coworkers to be through text messaging—and ultimately reminding people of work when they look at their mobile devices.
“Our brains love to build associations, and right now, people are associating their phones with work. This creates an aversion to the device altogether,” Dr Lash told the publication.
Normally, people would send out sparse text messages as they could always rely on in-person communication to relay the gravity and emotions tied to certain conversations. Now, people might be becoming emotionally exhausted from constantly conveying their thoughts and feelings through words.
“There is now a sort of implied expectation that electronic communication is supposed to mirror or substitute our in-person relationship dynamic. And that is an inherently draining expectation,” Dr Given explained.
Meeting in person is not an accessible option for many nowadays, and people are realizing that messaging provides more than simple updates to friends, family, and colleagues.
Dr Given detailed how “answering a text message right now may feel too emotionally exhausting” as the “inherent weight of a text has changed.”
Previously, people could opt to go out when they were tired or overwhelmed due to external factors. They could also limit their interactions when their energy was low. However, text messaging has become essential during the pandemic, and there’s almost no way out of the “endless stream of communication.” The only way would be to put your phone aside and take some time for yourself.
The simple choice of setting your phone aside for a bit can seem daunting as digital communication has become the only way of keeping up with others. Though it might seem impossible, it is crucial to pace out your mobile usage for your wellbeing.
Find out more advices by the experts here.
[via Bustle, cover image via Shutterstock.com]
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