In today's dynamic world, people are gobbled up by the screen. Technology innovation in the digital medium is both a disguise and a blessing to an individual. We work, eat, relax, and carry out every errand of ours in relation to digital mediums. As time passes, it is unattainable to stay away from digital screens. As long as connectivity is becoming the bedrock of civilization, the duration of people gluing up to screens is soaring.
However, it is important to understand that the eradication of a few dire consequences for health as an outcome of this peculiar advancement of technology is unlikely to happen. While getting rid of digital mediums is not possible, there are many ways in which one can abate their influence by maintaining a balance.
Discover insights and tips to incorporate digital wellness into your life while also learning tricks to maintain balance in this article.
* Why does digital wellness matter?
First, we need to know what digital wellness is.
Digital wellness means having a proactive approach to using digital media for physical and mental well-being. It is not about getting rid of the devices, but using them in a diplomatic way to ensure wellness.
The concept came into existence when hindrances to productivity and development were being noticed in the workplace and in personal lives. Resulting in a problematic issue that needs to be addressed. Here is a list of the string of concerns that digital mediums come with, underscoring the importance of digital wellness:
* Physical implications:
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Vision problems: Extended screen time can cause blurry vision, dry eyes, eye strain, light sensitivity, and inflammation. This is due to the blue light that is emitted through screens, which leads to the persistence of such issues.
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Poor posture: Poor posture is another common outcome that comes up when having more screen time. This is because having proper posture while using digital devices is often overlooked, which causes issues like neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, etc.
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Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity has become the norm ever since digital devices gained prominence. Today, people spend hours watching them instead of engaging in physical activities that have significantly elevated the presence of a sedentary and passive lifestyle. This becomes the root of certain diseases as well.
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Obesity: The more one sits and watches such devices, the higher the chances of being obese. Obesity contributes to diseases and enzymes that lead to poor dietary choices, impulsive snacking, and cardiovascular issues.
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Disrupted sleep: Sleep patterns suffer significantly due to digital addiction. The blue light emitted by the devices comes from the production of melatonin. Thus contributing to disrupted sleep and insomnia.
* Mental Implications:
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Depression and Anxiety: Prolonged periods of using digital devices might contribute to anxiety and depression. This can happen with the exposure of negative and misleading content.
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Isolation: More screen time often leads one to feel lonely, alone, and isolated. This can affect the vulnerability of a person and make them feel depressed.
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Low self-esteem: The self-esteem of a person is linked with screen time. This is because social media becomes a gateway for one to compare themselves with other people on Social media. Such comparisons can lead to low self-esteem, negative marks, and body image issues.
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Digital addiction: an extended period of using digital devices leads to addiction. Such addiction can contribute to worsening the consequences of continuous usage.
Thus, owing to such factors, it is important to practice digital wellness. The pages ahead deal with ways in which one can incorporate digital wellness into their daily life.
* Tips to Maintain Balance between Screen Time and Health
With the information below, we have spilled enough vital information to know the impact of extended screen time and the necessity of reducing it. However, staying away from it is not a feasible option, as the negative impact of the screen is counterbalanced by the positives. While there is no one-size-fits-all guideline to incorporating digital wellness, there are still many strategies that one can inculcate to enhance their life.
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20-20-20 Rule: Following this rule can prove to be a savior. This rule is not only easy to follow but also aids in reducing eye strain. Within this rule, a person must look for 20 seconds at a distance of 20 feet every 20 minutes. Taking such small breaks can help to stay calm and reduce eye strain.
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Minimize distractions: Avoid everything that distracts you while using digital devices. This can be done by muting down the notifications or deleting unnecessary apps. Or by restricting the time to use an app that distracts a lot. Several third-party apps can be downloaded to manage the time spent using applications.
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Turn on focus mode: To avoid distraction, digital devices often come with a focus mode. Focus mode is a mode that helps temporarily pause apps that cause distraction. In such a way, it doesn't let you use the app, reminding you to pause and helping you focus on something important.
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Practice time management: Create a roadmap that establishes a fixed time for using the screen. This can be done to avoid using phones during bedtime and while having meals. This can help with falling asleep serenely and eating mindfully.
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Schedule time: Schedule time to check your emails, conduct digital meetings, use social media, or read news. This habit can not only save you time but can also help to structure your day by inculcating limited screen time.
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Prevent Eyestrain: Vision suffers more due to extended screen time. The best way to prevent this is by adjusting the brightness, wearing blue glass spectacles, or ensuring regular checkups.
* Summing up:
Digital wellness is not about getting away from devices but learning how to use them in a mindful way. Throughout this article, we have meticulously covered aspects of digital wellness and the need to balance them. In today's time, eliminating the use of this device is not possible. But what's possible is to have a balance in using it so that it doesn't start hindering productivity in life.
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