Yesterday while in the shower, I came to a very interesting conclusion. My addiction and constant checking of my Blackberry is causing me anxiety. (And yes, I have been clinically diagnosed as a “Crackberry” addict by my husband.) Although this revelation may be obvious to many, I began to isolate my recent onset of anxiety and nervousness to my incessant email checking. Now, I don’t believe that email alone is to blame for stress and anxiety. (My main stressful part of my life at the moment is graduate school and journalism commitments.) However, I am often checking email when I can’t be “actionable.” And glancing down at a Blackberry email doesn’t really equal reading and digesting it. In fact, I often forget that I’ve even looked at the email. Simply, there is no point of checking email on my blackberry when I can’t reply with a thoughtful response or follow-up in a manner appropriate to the email. Meaning, I can’t take action on the email. I can’t do anything. So, if I followed my own advice, I wouldn’t check my Blackberry during meals, while on the phone (yes I do this), during class, and even while driving (hey, I’m stopped at lights). Multitasking just might be the death of me.

I know of two close examples that have avoided my Blackberry causing anxiety. My cousin in NJ and one of my best friends from elementary school are both social workers (coincidentally) that have chosen not to own personal Blackberry devices or iPhones. They can’t check email on their phones. My best friend has even chosen not to own a cell phone at all. (A little extreme perhaps, but it works for her. And she has access to her husband’s cell phone after work for emergencies.) Both women aren’t interested in bringing work home with them. And I must say, they enjoy a great amount of personal freedom and unencumbered free time. And they also seem to encounter less stress than those of us tied to our blackberries and unable to “unplug” from our electronic communication devices. This includes turning off our computers when we get home. Many of us stay glued to the computer screen long after our work is finished.

Although checking a blackberry incessantly and constantly scanning email may bring some of you out there joy, this Caramel Bella is beginning to think that unplugging (especially when I can’t do anything about the email and perhaps may not want to at that moment) may bring some much needed relaxation, peace of mind and a lowering of my anxiety level.

Just my two pennies.

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

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