Health Issues Caused by Electronics Use
Parents and health professionals worry about the ever-increasing amount of screen time and electronics use in children. However, the same continuous actions also cause problems for teens and adults. In the quest to reduce the number of hours you use gadgets and electrical equipment every day, it is first important to understand the sometimes-serious health issues caused by this habit.
Poor Posture Causes Aches and Pains
Slumping over a computer or lounging on a bed or in a chair with your phone for a long period of time causes health issues related to poor posture. This manifests in achiness along the spine of your neck and back as well as pain in your muscles and joints. Get a supportive chair and appropriate desk and practice safe positioning when you use your gadgets.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome is perhaps the most commonly recognized repetitive stress injury frequently associated with computer and electronics use. Things like 'texting thumb' create ongoing soreness and dexterity issues for many people. Although typing is one of the main culprits, using a mouse and gaming controllers also contribute to repetitive stress. Take breaks and stretch frequently to help.
Eye Strain and Retinal Cell Damage
The blue lights from electronic screens can actually damage the cells in your eyes that make it possible to see clearly. This happens even more if you spend a lot of time staring at a screen without any breaks. Temporary eyestrain and achiness are the first signs that something is wrong. Once retinal cells are damaged, they do not regrow. Use screen filters, apps that minimize blue light, and take frequent breaks.
Radio and Electromagnetic Frequency Radiation
While the word radiation brings to mind horrific doomsday scenarios and cancer growth, it can have less severe health problems associated with it. Wi-Fi routers and wireless connected electronics emit radiation. This can be especially risky for fetuses, infants, and young children. Some early studies showed a correlation between excessive cell phone use and the development of nerve cell tumors. The WHO classifies phones as potential carcinogens. Minimize exposure and stay far away from routers and other radiation sources.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes
Using electronics on their own does not change your emotions or behavior in any great way. However, the computers, phones, and related activities like gaming, online social media use, and more can influence how people feel and act. This is especially true for people who rely on electronics for socialization and entertainment as their dopamine response may get intrinsically linked to gadget usage. If they stop, they may get irritable or exhibit other negative behaviors.
The variety of health issues caused by electronics use affects adults, teens, and children every day. While it is impossible to stay away from all computers and gadgets in our modern world, regulating how much time is spent in front of them can have a great impact on your overall health and well-being. Follow the tips outlined in this article to counteract this current problem.
