"So you think your cell phone is innocent?"

Anyone without a cell phone today will be regarded by most as archaic. Between our ever busy schedules and the need to interact on the various social media platforms, it's hard to imagine a world without cell phones. Irrespective of whether you own an android, an iphone or a blackberry, you probably constantly check your phone whether or not its ringing or vibrating.

Like almost everything in life however, whatever has its good also has its fair share of bad when used in excess. I will be highlighting a few of the reasons your cell phone might be bad for you.

-Transmission of germsSince we're constantly touching our phones (even when we're in the toilet), chances are that we unconsciously use our phones as a means of harbouring/transmitting germs. Infact a study done showed that a cell phone after a day's use can contain more disease prone germs than those found on a toilet seat!

-Chronic painWe constantly use our hands especially when sending text messages, emails, PINGING or tweeting. This could result in pain, numbness and swelling of joints and fingers especially the thumb since its the most commonly used. A phenomenon that has come to be commonly referred to as 'blackberry thumb'.

-Visual problemsMost phones have small screens so there's a tendency to squint and strain while reading messages leading to dizziness, blurred vision and visual problems later in life.

-StressSometimes you might discover that you're cranky but can't place your hands on why. I could postulate a theory for you. All that incessant ringing & vibrating can put you on edge unknown to you. Research has shown that high rates of phone usage is associated with sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression. It has also been postulated as a risk factor for mental health issues in young adults.

-Poor social skillsAsides direct medical consequences, increased cell phone usage especially on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter & bbm have reduced the number of face to face interactions and ironically affected relationships negatively. People have grown so used to communication via social platforms that sustaining meaningful conversations in real time is almost impossible.

-CancersNow to the most dreaded of all-cancers! There have been rumours about how excessive use of cell phones can cause brain cancers and how placing them close to the crotch in males, testicular cancers. Truth is there's currently no conclusive data to prove this HOWEVER ongoing research shows that there is indeed a link. I would say it's better to be safe than sorry though.

-NomophobiaThis is simply the fear of being without one's phone. Symptoms include anxiety when you can't find your phone, checking all the time to make sure it's with you, carrying a phone charger all the time etc...I bet we all suffer from this!

Here are a few ways to reduce some of these effects:1) When on a call use a headset or speakerphone whenever you can.2) Give yourself a 'cell break' i.e designated hours of the day when you're not pinging and tweeting and all of that stuff.

3) Wash your hands and wipe down your phone with a sanitiser regularly. 4) Take eye breaks from staring at your screen and increase your font size.5) Switch off your phone when it's time to sleep.

Remember that our forefathers lived their whole lives without cell phones, a few hours away from yours will definitely not stop the earth from spinning!