NRL superstar Nathan Cleary has confessed he struggles to control his addiction to his mobile phone, describing his relationship with his mobile as a ‘constant battle’.
The admission comes as the Penrith and NSW halfback has copped volleys of harsh criticism from fans over his recent performances for Australia’s national side, the Kangaroos. Looking at your phone all the time, it’s like quick dopamine hits.
‘But the phone thing is hard. I admit I definitely go through times where I am addicted to it and I just scroll.Cleary, 27, is known for his incredible focus on the field as he guided Penrith to four straight grand final wins – but off the field, he often struggles to keep his attention directed away from his mobile.
‘I feel I am a better person, more present and my attention span is a lot better, when I stay off my mobile phone,’ said Cleary, who has turned to ‘phone fasting’ to break his habit.
‘It’s a constant battle.
‘You stay away from the phone for a little bit and that builds up a dopamine release, which is a chemical release in your brain
You just find yourself scrolling and you don’t know what you’re doing half the time.
‘If I catch myself doing that then I will try and stay off my phone for a little bit.’
Cleary also told News Corp that he has turned to meditation to help break the habit that has seen him and plenty of other Aussies get ‘consumed by a screen’.
The Panthers lynchpin is currently in England with the Kangaroos, playing halfback as the national team won the Ashes series three-nil with a 30-8 win at Headingley early on Sunday morning, Australian time.
But despite the side racking up a whitewash in the first Ashes for more than 20 years, the No.7 has been slammed by fans who have turned on him over his performances.Nathan Cleary opens up about the secret addiction he shares with thousands of Aussies – as footy fans turn on him
