Ways how too much screen time affect your health

Summary:

Current digital era has made us look at screens, a necessity, in some way or another. But how has it affected us? Find out in this article.

Screen time is something that’s practically unavoidable in the present time. Someone could be sending that important business message, someone making a living out of that online game, watching a favorite TV show, doing online research, or just working to earn that bread. Adults are exposed to it way more than the kids; the kids can be told to stay off the phone, tablets, or TV, but adults mostly have no choice, as it could be their earning source.

Screen time has been associated with a sedentary lifestyle, with minimum calories expended on the activity, becoming a reason for obesity and eyesight problems, which is evident from the “binge-watching with popcorn” that a lot of us do. It has also been noted that most of the time spent in front of the TV, relaxing is done with some high-calorie food which is extremely palatable, with little to no physical activity. At the same time, those who engage in video games end up not consuming enough required calories.

What are the adverse effects of excessive screen time?

● Strain to the eyes

● Headaches

● Insomnia

● Back pain, or pain in the shoulder and neck

● Attention problems

● Weight gain and heart problems

● Emotional dependence on social media

It is un-debatable that some screen-time cannot be avoided altogether. One got to sustain their and their families’ lives with that bread-winning screen job. However, leisure time could be made devoid of televisions, mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. Do this instead:

● Develop alternate hobbies

● Cook something/ pre-prep your food for the next day

● Read books

● Use newspaper as a news source

● Workout

If nothing out of the above is something that you want to do after a hard day at work/school, go to sleep. Give those tired eyes some rest they need.

Points to remember:

• Screen times are necessary but harmful at the same time
• Taking care of health should be prioritised, screen time and rest needs to be balanced
• Pick out alternatives for entertainment/relaxation rather than exposing yourself to more screen time
• Check on your health regularly and keep tabs on the length of the screen time

References:

●Medline Plus, (2019). Screen time and children [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm#:~:text=Too%20much%20screen%20time%20can,gaining%20too%20much%20weight%20(obesity)

● Scripps, (2019) How Much Screen Time Is Too Much? [online] Available at: https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6626-how-much-screen-time-is-too-much

● Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. M. (2019). Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: a systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open, 9(1), e023191.