Technology and Our Health

As the world undergoes the 4th Industrial revolution, digitizing and automating everything, we’re surrounded by technology that continues to advance. Our lives are dominated by our personal laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices that, on the one hand, make our lives easier and entertaining, but on the other hand, have significant implications on our health.
Let’s discuss some major effects of technology on our health:

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Technology and Our Health 1

Impact on Our Eyesight

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to using smart technological devices is the strain caused to our eyesight. According to a study conducted by the Vision Council, individuals exposed to screens for more than 2 hours at a time are reported to suffer from physical eye discomfort.
Many people, especially millennials, are addicted to using their phones. Oftentimes, they continue to use their phones well until the middle of the night and after.

Our eyes cannot function properly if troubled with tiny text on small screens with bright lights. The brightness of the screen makes you partially blind.
In addition, the strain is not limited to your eyes. Experts reveal that the impact on your eyesight is associated with other parts of your body. Depending on your posture while you use various devices, your neck, shoulders, and head may also be affected.

Sleeping Issues

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Devices like smartphones and tablets (and even laptops) can deprive you of a night of sound sleep. Using a smartphone in the hours right before you sleep can result in both psychological and physiological problems that affect your sleep.

According to a research study conducted in 2015, the blue light emitted from tech devices can curb melatonin production and create interruptions in your circadian clock, both of which hinder your ability to fall asleep, which means that you’re less active when you wake up in the morning

Causes Depression

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If you think about it, one of the major reasons we feel left out and inadequate is because we constantly compare ourselves to others. This is especially true when we’re talking about social media, as everyone’s lives are on display on these platforms.

A 2014 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that heavy users of social media felt more isolated than those who don’t use social media that often. Experts found a correlation between excessive internet use and aggressive behavior, depression, and substance use. However, more evidence is required to reach robust conclusions about the cause and effect.

Recommendations

The effects of technology on our health are expected to increase with time. Yet, it is possible to prevent these issues by adopting some precautions:

  • To alleviate eye strain, consider using the 20-20-20 rule, which involves taking a 20-minute break after 20-minutes of screen time. During the break, look at something that’s 20-feet away.
  • To prevent other bodily issues, maintain proper posture when using these devices. Perform a few stretches and exercises to keep your muscles loose.
  • Keep all devices away when it’s time to sleep.
  • If you’re feeling depressed, try to limit your use of social media and see if it improves your emotional health.

In addition to the vital self-care steps already mentioned, our bodies and nervous systems may need additional support to maintain a proper, healthy balance in the midst of our busy lives. This is where Reiki comes in. Reiki (pronounced ray-kee), is a spiritual healing practice that gives the system a boost into self-healing and balance. Reiki is practiced in person via light touch, or remotely, and there are no reported contraindications. Clients describe better, more restorative sleep, relaxation, clarity of thoughts, more focus, pain reduction, and overall wellbeing to mention just a few of the benefits. Reiki is a simple practice with many benefits following continued treatment. For a free consultation to find out more about how Reiki can help you restore balance to your system, please visit reikibylinette.com.

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