What is really happening in your brain when you use your phone, and how to harness it.

We pick up our phones on average 80 times a day, and approximately a quarter of our waking hours are spent in front of a screen. We self-interrupt our work and social lives, forgo sleep, procrastinate important tasks and opt for digital distraction when we're bored or feel uncomfortable. Worst-case scenario, we're told phone use is melting our brains, creating a mental health epidemic and machines are taking over the world.

But how much of this is true and what can we do about it?

NHS neurology doctor and neuroscientist Faye Begeti explains the science behind why we have formed so many fixed and negative habits around our devices. She reflects on both deliberate choices and automatic behaviours, whilst also challenging myths around digital 'addiction', the harmfulness of blue light and how dopamine functions in the brain.

Rather than recommending a quick-fix digital diet or abstinence - unviable for most people and pointless given the way our brain works - The Phone Fix offers a practical guide, based on neuroscientific techniques, on building supportive digital habits. Begeti shows that technology is not inherently bad or frightening and that by better understanding what is happening in our brains, we can replenish our willpower and improve our focus, forming a healthier relationship with our phones - and therefore the people around us.

What is really happening in your brain when you use your phone, and how to harness it.

About the Author
Dr Faye Begeti is a practising neurology doctor and neuroscientist at Oxford University Hospitals. She completed her medical degree and PhD at the University of Cambridge, and has since continued her research into neurodegenerative diseases alongside seeing her neurology patients. Her Instagram account @the_brain_doctor was started to share her knowledge more widely and has since amassed a community of over 144K followers. She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two young daughters.

Reviews
An accessible, concise and importantly non-judgemental guide to forging healthy digital habits for yourself and all of your family. A call to action but one which might surprise you: not all habits are 'bad'; this is a book on how to gather agency online rather than tech controlling you. * Vicki Broadbent, Founder of Honestmum.com *
Faye dilutes neuroscience into actionable and realistic strategies you can implement in your life to stop being scared of your phone and empower yourself with healthy habits for life. . . Indispensable for anyone who owns a smartphone. * Dr Martha Deiros Collado, psychologist and author of How to Be the Grown Up *
My go-to book... Begeti summarises the research in this area excellently and communicates it in an engaging and accessible way. Beyond being an excellent summary of the science, it is also a highly useable handbook to help ensure your phone is helpful, not detrimental, to your life. * Dr Emma Hepburn, author of A Toolkit for Modern Life *
The Phone Fix is a timely book that provides a clear path to balance in our hyper-connected world. Faye's expert advice, particularly sleep hygiene, is invaluable, empowering readers to take control of their tech habits and enhance their overall well-being. A must-read for anyone seeking to improve their relationship with technology. * Rosey Davidson, sleep consultant and author *
Provides valuable insights into building healthy digital habits for yourself and your family. Dr Begeti summarises the science and research to make it accessible and relatable to all. A no nonsense, sensible guide to improving your digital relationships. * Dr Chintal Patel, GP and author of Dr Chintal's Kitchen *



Book Information
ISBN 9781035903009
Author Dr Faye Begeti
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Apollo
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC