A psychologist named a way to unlearn sitting on the phone while driving

Motorists are often distracted by the phone while driving, and as neuropsychologist Svetlana Pulya explained in an interview with the Auto Mail, this is not due to frivolity, but to the peculiarities of the brain.

Upon seeing the notification, a person receives a dopamine release even before they know the content of the message — the brain reacts to the "expectation of reward." The habit of checking a smartphone is formed on the same principle as addiction: the device constantly sends signals, and it can be almost impossible to resist them, especially while driving. Fines don't help either—at the moment of temptation, the rational part of the brain just "doesn't turn on."

The specialist stressed that the only way to effectively break the cycle is to remove the phone from view: put it in a bag, glove compartment or in the back seat, and turn off notifications completely. If the brain does not "see" the gadget, the dopamine system does not start. Additionally, you can switch your attention to safe sources of pleasure: music, podcasts, audiobooks, or a conversation with a passenger.

Bullet advises to retrain yourself by changing the usual "trigger — action — reward" combination: if boredom in traffic used to pull you to the phone, now it can be replaced by turning on your favorite track. The five—second technique helps impulsive people - a short pause gives logical thinking a chance to step in and stop dangerous behavior.

According to the neuropsychologist, anxiety, boredom, or a desire to avoid emotions are often behind phone addiction. On long trips, it is better to plan stops in advance to check messages, use voice control, and even turn on the answering machine.

She stressed that this addiction is not formed through human fault — the devices are specially designed to trigger the dopamine system. But it's quite possible to change the situation: it's not about willpower, but about changing your environment and your own habits.

In January, the Ministry of Transport announced that the ban on the use of tablets while driving had been postponed, writes RT. Currently, a driver faces a fine of one and a half thousand rubles for using a phone without a handsfree system. 360.ru .

Earlier, psychologist and profiler Lidia Kutuzova told Izvestia that excessive fascination with electronic devices can negatively affect mental and physical health.According to her, the consequences of frequent use of gadgets for adults are, in particular, social isolation and procrastination.

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