Assi Azar Shares Personal Battle With Anxiety and Smartphone Overuse
TV host Assi Azar shares his personal battle with anxiety, implementing strict screen-time boundaries and digital detox rules to improve mental health, relationships, and focus.
TV presenter and personality Assi Azar is stepping up his personal and public battle against anxiety, placing smartphone overuse at the very center of modern emotional distress. Through his dedicated Instagram page, DOING MY BEST, where the bio reads "tools that help me live with anxiety," Azar shared a deeply personal series of posts detailing his dramatic decision to reshape his relationship with his screen. Using his platform to help others suffering from similar struggles, Azar emphasized that this lifestyle change is a critical step toward reclaiming inner peace.
New Boundaries for Screen Time
In his recent posts, Azar outlined strict new rules for his daily routine: "I decided that when I am with people, the phone stays aside." He explained that while driving or in meetings, his phone remains safely tucked away in his bag, and at eight o'clock every evening, it is moved to his home office until morning. Azar noted an immediate positive shift, including higher-quality time and full presence with his children, warm conversations with neighbors in the elevator, and a noticeable drop in stress levels.
"The phone steals our attention even when it is turned off, and every beep is a small disruption," Azar wrote, emphasizing that less scrolling directly translates to reduced anxiety. He added that the changes have significantly improved his focus at work and deepened his connection with his husband, who feels his presence much more strongly.
Science Backs the Detox
Azar's approach finds strong backing in recent scientific findings. A new study conducted at Semmelweis University in Hungary among young adults aged 18 to 35 revealed that continuous smartphone scrolling triggers severe psychological and physical issues. Researchers found that one-third of participants who spent four to five hours daily consuming digital content suffered from impaired memory and concentration, poor sleep quality, heightened anxiety, and persistent FOMO. Furthermore, the study highlighted "Text Neck," a heavy physical strain on the cervical spine caused by constantly looking down at a device.
Public Advocacy and Mental Health
Azar's daily insights are part of a broader public mission. During an interactive Q&A session with the Maariv news outlet, he openly addressed health anxiety and medication: "When anxiety goes untreated, it is very frightening. So yes, I too was afraid I was going crazy." He explained that proper treatment helps break the anxiety cycle and restore personal control. Alongside his social media advocacy, Azar partnered with the Ministry of Health, the Government Advertising Bureau, Avi Ohayon, and Matan Dror to launch "Kol Ma SheOzer" (Everything That Helps), an audiovisual project featuring four musical works designed to raise mental health awareness and provide practical tools to the public.
