The days before mobile phones are long behind us and it seems nearly impossible to imagine how we used to live without them, even for those of us who spent many happy years without a mobile.

The range of features on the average modern mobile phone gives you a variety of things to do for business and pleasure but how much of the stuff you do on your phone is really necessary and how much is down to boredom or stress?

On several occasions I have left my phone at home when going to work. Half way there I realise and start to panic. Why? When I'm at work everyone can call me on the landline, I have internet access and constant emails. There is little reason for me even to carry a mobile at work.

OK, I could break down on the way home when it would come in useful but my irrational anxiety about being without my phone really hit home. It's getting harder and harder to switch off and relax.

I was waiting in a beautiful hotel lobby recently and admiring the art and decor around me when I noticed how many people were glued to their phones oblivious to their surroundings. Some may well have been important calls, but as I walked around I would catch snippets of some of them and they were as banal as the average twitter post.

There was a recent survey of people with internet access that found 50% of them would experience anxiety if they were not connected all of the time. This is the same thing. Mobile phones are incredibly powerful business tools if used correctly but many users need to know when to switch them off and relax.

Whilst I do take my mobile phone on holiday, it is only "for emergency purposes". It stays switched off and I'm pleased to say I've never had to use it overseas. I'd much rather be on the beach and forgetting about all of the work issues which may (or may not) be happening.

Whilst business mobile phones can help your business life run smoother, make sure you get some downtime too. Staying permanently connected seems to be addictive and is not going to improve your work/life balance.