Is your smartphone the first thing you touch in the morning? Can’t you go asleep without scrolling through Facebook, YouTube or Google for the last time that day? Do you think that if you leave your phone for a while, you’ll miss out on life? That’s the case with many people nowadays and I think that this is some kind of addiction to the Internet. What makes the Internet so attracting? Below, I will put together a list of the 7 most addictive things on the Internet.

1. Facebook

Perhaps, you have been resisting for long time to make a profile on Facebook, but finally you will wind up with one. And when we’re there… we can’t unhook! We just need to open the app or page in the browser and we’re in a big community of friendly people where something is always happening. A great variety of rewards are given to us: photos, comments, likes, gossip, emotions, news, laughter. We invest more and more time into interacting on the platform, thus coming back again and again. Yes, I am an addict and I admit it.

2. YouTube

Another thing we can’t resist on the Internet is YouTube. Whether it would be favourite music videos, video game walkthroughs, tutorials, product reviews, celebrity gossip videos, or sketch videos, it seems that there is everything on YouTube for every type of audience. And with all those people aspiring to capture their fifteen minutes of fame, there are endless hours to spend on the platform. So, I can say that almost everyone who uses YouTube is addicted to it to some extent.

3. Instagram

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! For many people if something is not on Instagram, it’s never happened. With all those exciting filters that make our photos artistic and the opportunity to share them with people with the same interests, it’s easy to see why so many of us are crazy about the social platform. You can check you profile many times during the day to see the number of likes your photo has gained and to read the comments that your followers have left behind it. Or you can just scroll your Instagram feed to see what other people have posted. One thing is certain, you will never get bored as there is always something new to look at!

4. Google

When we are tired of Facebook and YouTube, we always have the option to turn to Google. I spend hours a day Googling random things that have popped into my mind. One thing leads to another and I cannot stop researching them. This can be a problem especially when your job is related to Internet. This Google addiction can be so distracting! But Google has an answer to everything, it’s crazy!

5. E-mail

Are you addicted to checking your e-mail? Do you check your e-mail once a day? Do you check it every couple of hours? Or are you like some of us who have linked e-mails to our phones, so we don’t miss a beat regardless of whether we are at or away from the office. I feel the need to respond to e-mails immediately or within minutes of when they arrive. I interrupt conversations and in-person activities to deal with e-mails. If you are just like me, perhaps you need to schedule an e-mail vacation, away from electronics.

6. Online Games

Who doesn’t like to play a quick online game? They are attractive and are at arm’s length. Though be careful! Online games are addictive as they are designed to be that way. They challenge us enough to keep us coming back for more. The addiction is often related to completing a mission or beating a high score. Especially addictive are the online multiplayer games that are played online with other people as they generally have no ending. You make friends whenever and finally find yourself playing all day and night.

7. Online Shopping

In this fast-paced world, online shopping is an easy way of purchasing whatever we need just sitting in the comfort of our homes. Some people enjoy it because they hate to invest time to go shopping, while others do it because of its great variety and accessibility. You should not worry if you just occasionally make purchases online. Bear in mind, however, that online shopping can be very addictive. With all these shopping advertisements that show on our social feeds, we can easily get hooked into it.

This was my list of the 7 most addictive things on the Internet. This may not be your list as everyone has his unique Internet addictions. However, one thing is certain – Internet is an easy pastime and all of us spend too much time there. So, we can officially say that Internet is an addiction.

Imagine that you take part in an experiment, which requires from you to stay offline for one whole day. It’s hard to imagine it, right? We all are addicted to Internet and to social media, which takes much of our time every day. If you try, however, to put down your phone, you will become more involved with the real world. By eliminating all that distracting information from the web, you will become more focused on the important things in your life, you will stimulate your creativity and improve your health and relationships. Let’s discuss now the benefits of being offline for one whole day.

Meet a Friend

Instead of scrolling on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and giving your likes on posts of online friends you have not seen for years, or you have never seen before, you can just call your good old friend and see him for a face-to-face conversation. According to scientific studies, we connect on a deeper level when we converse with others personally. Social media is an easy and convenient way of communicating, but it reduces the quality of the connection. And let’s be honest, exchanging a smile with a real person is much more exciting than exchanging emoji or likes.

Pick up a Hobby

When we read emails and articles on web sites, make status updates or watch video, we excessively consume information, which limits our creativity. Some studies show that excessive consumption of information hinders our creativity as it causes decision fatigue and is harmful to our attention spans. If you are offline, you will clear your mind and will realise that there is a lot of extra time that you can use to rediscover a long-lost hobby. Remember what you liked to do as a child. Perhaps you had a passion for painting, playing guitar or singing. Don’t procrastinate, use your one day offline to start again and enjoy the pleasure of creativity. It will be then much easier for you to continue.

Take a Trip in the Countryside

Another source of great pleasure and inspiration is the contact with nature. Take advantage of your day offline and make a trip in the countryside. You can go hiking on some long-distance footpath or cycling on quiet country roads, or just go by car and make a picnic. Take a friend and make your trip even more funny and exciting. Scientists have shown that the interaction with nature boosts memory and concentration levels. Just 1 hour of hiking in the countryside increases the brain’s performance by one fifth. In contrast, a walk through busy streets has no benefits on the brain at all.

Read a Book

When did you last read a book? Instead of scrolling on social media and reading random articles and posts, pick up a book by a favourite author and immerse yourself in his imaginative world. Apart from being a great source of entertainment and relaxation, reading can boost your brain power. In the same way as going for a jogging exercises your cardiovascular system, reading gives your brain a good work-out, thus improving your memory function, analytical skills, focus and concentration.

It doesn’t look scary, right? So, why don’t you try to forget about online posts, chats and status updates for just one day. Reclaim your time and do all the things for which you did not have time before. Be in the real life and enjoy the benefits of better relationships with others, of being more creative, healthier and happier.