CHECKING your mobile phone several dozen times as day is as stressful to the body as being addicted to cocaine.
That is the view of Sydney weight loss practitioner Kylie Ryan who said stress led to an increase in cortisol levels which made the body store more belly fat.
"If you're glued to your phone then you're constantly in the virtual world and you're ignoring all other sensory messages from your body," Ms Ryan said.
"Checking your phone all day has the same effect as being addicted to cocaine or fast food as far as your body is concerned."
Ms Ryan said living in a virtual world also encouraged mindless comfort eating.
"You get so disconnected that you forget how to listen to the subtle, quiet messages from your body, like hunger, fullness or sensory pleasure."
Her advice is that people switch off the phone three times a day for at least five minutes at a time to take deep breaths, go for a walk, or enjoy the sunshine.
Are you a constant phone checker?
