Numerous ways in which technology has changed life include how we work, live, and unwind. It has helped society in numerous ways, such as advancing communication, education, entertainment, and health, enabling us to go beyond the expectations of previous generations.
Modern society is expanding quickly, and new technology is the primary driver of this progress. These technical innovations still have a great deal of promise and advantages, but they also have potentially revolutionary effects. Around the world, technology is currently changing and producing new physical, social, and cultural habits. The greater the impact technology has on the world and the people in it, the more it will continue to advance.
One of the most significant effects of the spread of contemporary technology on the world is its influence on physical health. It has been established that technology significantly affects people’s physical health. There are a variety of physical health issues that can arise from spending a significant portion of your day connected to a screen. The threats have never been higher due to the widespread use of technology. read the complete blog to learn about the effects of technology on our physical health.
6 Effects of Technology on our Health
1. Bad Posture
Numerous people reportedly experienced back pain episodes in 2019 as a result of their improper posture when using computers, according to a report. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain will affect 80% of people at some point in their lives.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise considering how much time individuals spend each day scrolling on smartphones, working on computers in offices, or binge-watching their favorite television. You may experience posture issues if you aren’t using an ergonomic setup, which is uncommon even in businesses.
When using a phone or computer, the typical position is for the head to be tilted downward, the shoulders to be rounded, the elbows to form an acute or obtuse angle with the front of the body, and the wrists to be bent up or down. Muscle pain results from holding yourself in this position for extended periods of time or at regular intervals throughout the day.
2. Digital eye strain
Our eyes may suffer if we are exposed to digital devices all the time. One of the most frequently reported effects of excessive screen time is digital eye strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). For instance, the research found that it affected almost 60% of Americans. Dry eyes, a red-eyed appearance, headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain are all signs of digital eye strain.
How to reduce digital eye strain:
In accordance with a WebMD article, keep your screen 20 to 30 inches away from you and adhere to the 20-20-20 rule, which states that you should look away from your computer for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to an item 20 feet away. Then, check to see that your room’s illumination isn’t too bright or too low. You can lessen eye fatigue by using these strategies.
3. Disrupted sleep
Sleep is essential for practically all body processes. However, utilising a laptop, iPad, or phone right before bed can hinder your ability to sleep. This is due to the potential for increased alertness and clock disruption caused by so-called blue light from electronic devices. Additionally, using technology might be stimulating and prevent us from falling asleep. People may become engrossed and use electronics much past their sleep as a result.
The difference between interactive and passive technological gadgets must be made. Devices classified as passive require little to no human involvement. Examples include watching TV or a movie, reading an electronic book, or listening to music. With interactive devices, what the user sees on the screen changes based on their interaction. Playing a video game and conversing on social media, for instance, are interactive activities. Active rather than passive activities are more likely to disturb sleep.
How to avoid disrupted sleep:
You can take a number of steps to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep without being tempted by technology. Dim the lights, for instance, at least an hour before retiring to bed. Make sure your phone is in a different room so that you won’t be tempted to grab for it when you feel the want to use it.
4. Physical inactivity
We typically don’t exercise when utilizing technology like computers, video games, or TVs. Because of this, a growing body of studies has connected excessive usage of digital devices to declining levels of physical activity and fitness. For instance, researchers discovered that students with smartphone addiction engaged in less physical activity than those who controlled their use in a recent study involving college students in Thailand.
It makes sense that spending more time watching TV or playing video games on the couch would result in less time spent exercising. However, there is only a weak correlation between adult obesity and gaming, with exposure to artificial blue light from a TV and other smart gadgets being more linked to obesity.
How to stay active:
Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of strenuous activity each week, according to the World Health Organization. Worldwide health organizations warn against prolonged sitting for people of all ages. Stretch out every 20 to 30 minutes by getting up. Simple stretches, walking around, and bathroom breaks can all help your body get more oxygen and blood flowing through it.
5. Mental issues
Every day, more than three billion people communicate with one another on social media. While many of our interactions are usually safe, abusing these services excessively can have negative effects on our health. In especially among teenagers, social media addiction is associated with an increase in mental health illnesses like depression and suicidal ideation. The social pressures that young people and adults experience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—pressures that can result in cyberbullying, a heightened need for approval, and general feelings of unhappiness—have been linked to that correlation, according to researchers.
One study found that kids who used social media for five or more hours per day had a doubled risk of developing depressive symptoms. Additionally, it showed that compared to men, women were more likely to exhibit signs of depression when utilizing social media at the same rate.
How to minimize mental effects:
Limit the time you spend on social media; a study indicated that respondents felt less lonely and unhappy when they utilized social media less frequently. To keep track of how much time you spend on social networking sites, utilize an app or timer. To assist you to concentrate on your current surroundings and circumstances, engage in real-world activities. You could, for instance, read a book, watch a movie, take a walk, bake, or call a buddy.
6. Muscular Pain
Muscle soreness is frequently brought on by poor posture. The symptoms of “tech neck” include headaches, shoulder stiffness, neck pain, and soreness from the constant forward- or backward bending of the neck.
The weight of the head is distributed at various angles, which is primarily why it happens. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science states that the stress on your neck, while your head is in a neutral position, is no more than 10 to 12 pounds. To support as much as 27 pounds at 15 degrees or 60 pounds at 60 degrees, however, the muscles must work more when the object is slanted.
What to Do About Muscular Pain:
According to PhysioMed’s guide to a correct sitting posture, your knees and legs should likewise be at a proper angle, and your elbows should form a 90-degree angle with the keyboard. Princeton University’s Computer Workstations and Ergonomics recommend that your feet be flat on the ground or the footrest, as well as lumbar support for your back.
Use a body-standing desk if possible. These let you to look directly at your computer screen while preventing the negative effects of prolonged sitting on your health.
Tips for using technology in a healthy way
- Remove pointless apps from your phone to avoid checking for updates all the time.
- Set and stick to screen time restrictions.
- Go offline and take periodic breaks.
- Review and make the most of your social media privacy settings. Choose carefully who and what you want to view when you put something online.
- Keep electronics away from meals.
- Avoid using electronics in your bedroom. At night, face clocks and other illuminating objects toward the wall. Before going to bed, put away your digital gadgets for at least one hour.
- Use the internet to stay in touch, but place more value on in-person connections than online ones.
Conclusion
People are certain to experience negative impacts when they become overly dependent on products designed to make their lives easier. In the same way, personal electronics. In order to ensure that your devices are only helping you and not hurting you, you should only use them when they are necessary and learn how to use them effectively. we hope you like our blog which is on effects of technology on our physical health.