Computer has become an important facet of our existence; it intervenes within almost every sector and activity of our daily existence. From the mobile devices, laptops, PCs, wearable devices to social networks, all these gadgets have come with number of advantages but challenges as well concerning the health of human body and mind.
Table of Contents
Physical Health Impacts
Sedentary Lifestyle:
The increase in sedentary behavior is one of the biggest physical health effects of digital technology. Many jobs remain for which we sit in front of a screen for hours, while our level of physical activity has dropped. Continued sitting for hours or even more can affect other similar problems namely like poor posture, back pains and long term health problems like obesity; hence it is better if you break from sitting after sitting for.
Eye Strain and Sleep Disruption:
Gazing at a computer or tablet or watching TV, playing games, or trying to catch up with friends and family on social networks may lead to eye strain. This condition also dubbed as; digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome leads to some of this symptoms; headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, etc .
Furthermore, the habit of seeing screens before going to bed affects sleep. Blue light inherent in the screens disrupts the secretion of melatonin, the hormone responsible for maintaining sleep. Due to this, a majority of individuals will find it difficult to either fall asleep, or get better sleep, thus resulting in tiredness accompanied by poor concentration in the morning.
Mental Health Impacts
Increased Anxiety and Stress:
However, connected devices can make anxiety and stress levels worse. Staying connected, fast responding to messages, and keeping up with all social media NFLBite can be exhausting and stress inducing. In fact, “information overload” is a term that many people also experience — the sheer volume of news, updates and notifications can feel mentally exhausting.
Social Media and Self-Esteem:
Although IG and FB are the platforms that allow maintaining contact with friends and families, they are connected with worse mental health. Researcher doing research have found out that people who spend a lot of time on social media are likely to feel lonely, socially anxious, and depressed. Comparison with people’s ‘best moments’ can be detrimental toward self esteem and leads to the development of unrealistic standards regarding beauty, accomplishments and well being.
For instance, some people may use comparison with influencers that one admires, and this leads to developing inferiority complex. Such a comparison culture, in addition to striving for perfect lives on the internet, and that leads to a decrease in mental health.
Positive Effects of Digital Technology
Thus while everybody can conclude conclusively that digital technology has had negative impacts to our health it is pertinent to point out that not all are bad for our health. In fact, there are few areas where it can complement them and make the quality better In addition, there are several facets that have shown that yoga could also make quality of mental health even better.
Health Monitoring Tools:
Smart bands, fitness bands, smart watches and other such wearable protect devices are beneficial as they make people embrace some form of fitness by tracking their steps, heart rates, and even temperatures. These tools encourage users to have goals, to be more active and to live a healthier life. Social networks also share programs for effective workout, applications, online classes on exercising, and even guided meditations, which encourage people to maintain health with help of technologies.
Access to Information and Support:
One of the benefits of the use of the internet is that users can learn about their symptoms, treatments and preventive measures. New possibilities have come up mostly as a result of emerging digital technology through telemedicine, where people can talk to their doctors from home. The enhanced health care can assist people to treat illnesses as early as possible before the situation gets worst.
Furthermore, mental health patients since have online communities and support groups where such people can congregate. They can find other individuals going through some or similar tough time as them and this greatly reduces loneliness.
Balancing Technology Use
Finding the correct balance between screen time and ‘real world’ activities will help to minimise the bad effects on physical and mental health that digital technology can have. Here are a few simple tips:
- Take regular breaks: Remember to take a break and stand for a least a few minutes every hour or do something that will clear your vision.
- Limit social media time: Provide restricted time to browse through social media apps rather than spending hours doing that.
- Create tech-free zones: Develop certain rules under which people should refrain from the use of electronic devices, for instance during meals, before going to bed.
- Use technology mindfully: Be selective on usage of technology at your disposal, do it in a way that will benefit your wellbeing rather than harm it.
Mental Disconnection
Of course using platforms like NFL Bite, which allows to watch NFL seamedlessly, may not be a limiting issue these days; however, it’s critical to still have a screen break from time to time. As much as watching games is considered helpful when one is bored or free it is always important to avoid excess screen time so as not to have a negative impact on health.
Also, users of NFLBite needs to consider following a healthy pattern of watching so that they may not lose touch with reality. Nevertheless, people often use entertainment for getting relaxed and spending much time sitting in front of TV or playing with a computer or an iPad results only in the deterioration of both mental and physical conditions.
Conclusion
Although digital technology makes our lives easier and more convenient in many ways it takes its toll on our physical and mental wellbeing, unless we are careful. If aware of the likely negative consequences (inability to keep fit, eye strain, anxiety, problems arising out of social media use for instance, one can always work towards minimizing them. It is thus important to take time and balance-screen and reality, come out of the room and move around.
I’m a writer, artist, and designer working in the gaming and tech industries. I have held staff and freelance positions at large publications including Digital Trends, Lifehacker, Popular Science Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, IGN, The Xplore Tech, and others, primarily covering gaming criticism, A/V and mobile tech reviews, and data security advocacy.