Health Problems from Too Much Screen Time

Eye Strain

Too much exposure to screens of digital devices can possibly cause Computer Vision Syndrome. These days, many of us have jobs that require us to stare at computer screens for hours at a time. That can put a real strain on your eyes, so when we’re away from our desks its highly recommend to limit screen time.

Too much screen time can can cause eyestrain, headaches, itchy eyes, eye fatigue and blurry vision.

Poor Posture

Spending extended periods of time in incorrect position can lead to incorrect movement patterns and increase your injury risk over time. Posture is extremely important, especially when it comes to preventing neck-related injuries.

Poor Posture is another problem people who spend too much time on digital screens can have. This poor posture can damage muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and spinal disks.

Sleep 

Blue light emitted from digital devices can affect your ability to sleep. These light emissions can harm your brain’s production of melatonin. Melatonin is needed for sleep because it is a chemical produced by your body to regulate your sleep. This is usually made worse when staring at screens in the dark. Using technology before bed can also affect the quality of your sleep. This can increase your brains activity while it is trying to settle into a restful state for sleep.

Tips

Even though some screen time cannot be prevented, there are some things you can do prevent some of these problems;

Ban Screen Use in the Bed Room

This can help prevent you using your phones or other digital devices right before you go to bed. This can improve your sleep because you are limiting exposure before going to bed.

Computer Glasses

You can purchase blue light glasses that reduce the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to. This can reduce eyestrain and help improve your sleep.

Ergonomics

When you do have to be in front of a screen for work-from-home or school-from-home responsibilities. The focus is reducing or limiting the damage. How you are sitting and taking breaks from the screen.

Simply to become aware of your posture is vital. If you spend a lot of time on a handheld phone or using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet, pause occasionally to notice how your body is situated;

• Back – straight or curved?
• Shoulders – sitting back or hunched?
• Head – looking down or looking up to the screen?
• Legs – Legs crossed or both feet on the ground?

Screen Time Control

There are many apps and phones that have ways for you to set up time controls. These allow you go into the settings of your phone and limit the amount of time you spend on certain apps.