Is your smart phone silently ruining your relationship?

Let’s be honest, we can’t survive a day without our smartphones. Be it social media or the need to click a selfie, many of us are addicted to our phones and we keep checking the device constantly. But have you ever wondered how your phone habits could be secretly ruining your relationship with your significant other? Here are a few points you need to consider to make your relationship ‘phone’proof…

Are you guilty of phubbing your partner whenever you meet? Do you feel the compulsive urge to check your phone even when you are chatting or sharing a meal with him or her? Or, do you keep replying to mails or texts during a date with your partner? Well, if your answer is yes to any of these questions, take this as a warning sign. You are physically together but are actually spending most of your time in the virtual world. Instead of holding a meaningful conversation, strengthening your emotional bond and creating sweet memories, you are focusing on staying connected with the online world. Is this your idea of a romantic date?

You can never go on a date without announcing it on social media. You spend the time clicking selfies, posting food pictures or marking ‘check-in’ of the place where you have met. It is a sign that you are more concerned about how the online world sees you. Don’t be surprised if you find your partner furiously observing you glued to your phone. In fact, try to be in their shoes and imagine how you would feel if your partner pays more attention to a little box than you.

Yes, we understand multitasking is a good thing. But when you are with your significant other, keep all those little tasks (paying bills online, replying to your bestie or sharing pictures) aside and focus on listening. Rather than just nodding to what he or she is saying, make eye contact, smile genuinely and talk about things you care. Trust us, it isn’t rocket science.

Before your phone addiction starts ruining your relationship, try making some ground rules with your partner. For instance, you can put your phone on silent mode during dinner or refrain from using it in the bedroom. You can fix a time during the day when you and your partner switch off the respective phones and spend quality time with each other.

Select a day, preferably a weekend, when both of you can completely stay away from the digital world. Switch off your phones, laptops and tablets for a day and see how you spend time in each other’s company without being interrupted by these devices. Read a book together, go for a stroll in a park and talk sweet nothing. We bet this sacrifice would be worth it!

Surprise your partner with a romantic text when they are busy in the office. Send them your photograph or video chat with them when you have not met them for a long time. Play fun online games to stay in touch or, simply message them in the middle of the day to remind them that they are being missed. Use your phone wisely to bring a smile on your partner’s face and not to give them a reason to feel ignored.

(All images used here are representational)