Reducing Your Screen Time Can Help You Live A Healthier Life

Digital screens are all around us in our everyday lives. Between checking our phones, working at a computer and watching television before bed, our bodies are exposed to technology for long periods of time. This could have serious health effects on us in the long run. Our family health center in Phoenix is dedicated to educating families about harmful screen habits, and how you can correct them to live a healthier life.

What’s Happening When We Look at Screens?

When we check our phones or turn on our computers, our bodies start to feel the effects of blue light quickly. Unfortunately, blue light doesn’t always cause physical symptoms. This means we could be receiving too much tech time on a daily basis without even knowing it. A constant connection to our devices can affect our eyes as well as our mental health.

Eyes – Our eyes are the first to make contact with a screen, which means trouble with the eyes is often the first indication that we have had too much exposure to technology. You might experience dry eyes or blurry vision because screens make us blink less. Most people hold phones around 12 inches from our faces, so we don’t feel the need to blink as frequently as we would while looking at something farther away.

• Head – The strain we place on our brains to view our devices can present itself physically in the form of a headache. Our eyes constantly have to refocus in order to look at a screen, which creates never ending stress that can lead to serious discomfort.

• Neck and Back – Next time you’re looking at a screen, whether it’s your phone or a monitor, take note of how you are sitting. You should be sitting up straight with your head facing forward. Avoid hunching over or bending your neck to an awkward angle. Poor posture, especially for a prolonged period of time, can cause soreness, pinched nerves and even damage to your spine.

• Mental Health – In addition to straining our bodies to stare at our devices, our minds can also become overexposed to the world around us. In a recent study, researchers found that people who were constantly connected to the news cycle and social media were more likely to experience mental health issues.

The Benefits of Disconnecting

Taking the time to disconnect from the technology around us is important to our mental and physical health. It can help us feel healthier and develop positive habits. Adults, however, are not the only ones that need help cutting back on screen time. A researcher from Iowa State University found that children who had their screen time reduced saw an improvement in their sleep quality, decrease in weight and received better grades. The family doctors at our clinics recommend monitoring and limiting the amount of time your child is using their devices. Doing so helps them learn healthy habits early on.

Tips on Limiting Screen Time

Regardless of age, we can all benefits from reducing our screen time. Try some of these tips to limit your family’s device use:

Set time limits for using devices

Plan media-free times together

Keep devices out of bedrooms

Utilize your phone’s “do not disturb” function to limit distractions

Charge your phone away from your bed

Call instead of texting

Condense your news into one collective feed

Remember that screen time in moderation is still okay and can be enjoyed periodically. Limiting your screen time will make you feel healthier and happier in the long run. If you have any questions about disconnecting from your devices, contact us today!

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