Limiting daily smartphone use significantly improves mental well-being. However, reverting to old habits can quickly lead to a deterioration in mental health, increasing stress, poor sleep quality, and depressive symptoms. This finding comes from researchers in Lower Austria, published in the journal BMC Medicine.

The study, led by Christoph Pieh, head of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University of Continuing Education Krems, involved 111 students with an average age of just under 23 years. One group had their smartphone use limited to a maximum of two hours per day, while a control group maintained an average of 4.5 hours of use per day.

Noticeable Reduction in Depressive Symptoms

After three weeks, moderate effects were observed. Depressive symptoms decreased by 27%, stress reduced by 16%, sleep quality improved by 18%, and overall well-being increased by 14%, according to the findings. “For the first time, we were able to show a causal relationship between smartphone use and mental health,” Pieh said.

However, the positive effects quickly diminished when phone use increased again. Follow-up assessments showed that the values returned to baseline levels. Therefore, the key is a sustainable change in behavior.