Problem:
Like me, you might have experienced this. Internet Addiction! Take this Internet Addiction Quiz if you want to know where you stand.
Symptoms:
You wake up (or before sleep) at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom and stop and check your e-mail or Orkut scraps on the way back to bed.
When your friends asks to sugegst a name for the newborn kid, you say Firefox, Goggley, Eudora, Mozilla or Zing.
You start wondering how to use smileys in your phone talk conversations (u r using while you sign anything!)Enough about symptoms..Now coming to the cure as suggested by askmen.com (another site..phew!)
Cure:
Practice The Opposite
For example, let's say that your Internet habit involves checking your e-mail first thing in the morning. Instead, you should take a shower or start breakfast first instead of logging on. Or, perhaps you only use the Internet at night, and have an established pattern of coming home and sitting in front of the computer for the remainder of the evening. Then I suggest you wait until after dinner and the news before logging on. Got it?
Set Goals
In order to avoid Internet usage, you should program structured sessions by setting reasonable goals, perhaps 2 hours instead of the current 40 on the Net. Also, stop wandering (switching between) websites..it wud be like channel surfing on the Telly..
Develop Your Inventory
Start asking yourself, "What am I missing out on when I spend so much time on the Net?" Then, write these activities down. You'll be surprised to find out that the list is endless. Painting, Reading, or just Scribbling..
Join A Support Group
By talking with others who are in the same boat as you, you will (first) make new, real friends, and then you will begin to realize that you are not alone in your fight to overcome this addiction. Support is very important. Dont start an Orkut Community for this please..
Family Support
Seek the support of family members, since they know you better than most people. Talk to your friends..
Take a walk, Smell fresh air, Go for Swimming (surfing may remind your old habits!).
Other resources (refer them online one last time!):
PsychCentral Internet Addiction Guide
Be Web Aware - Internet Addiction
How Much is Too Much When Spending Time Online?
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Internet-addiction
Surfing Not Studying - Dealing with Student Internet Addiction on Campus
Internet Addiction: Personality Traits Associated with Its Development
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