In today’s age, screen time is increasing day by day thanks to multiple apps and fast internet. Whether it’s due to work, social media or entertainment, screens have become a major part of our daily lives and we are consuming lot of screen time each day. There is no harm if used for limited time but excessive screen time on our smart devices can led to several physical and mental health issues, including eye strain, sleep disruption, and even increased anxiety or depression. So, the question is how to reduce it. So, here’s a comprehensive guide on understanding screen time and practical strategies to reduce it.
What is Screen time?
Screen time is nothing but just amount of time a person spends on a smart device which has screen on it. For example, smartphones, tablets, televisions, laptops, computers, etc. While not all screen time is detrimental, especially when it’s used for work or educational purposes, recreational screen time can quickly add up and impact your health negatively. Below are the impacts on a person’s health due to excessive screen time.
Impact of Excessive Screen time:
- Physical Health Issues: Using screen devices for long time can majorly impact a person’s eyes which can lead to eye strain, which have included dry eyes, headaches, & blurred vision. It also impacts the daily lifestyle which makes a person lazy which leads to other physical health problems as well.
- Mental Health Issues: Excessive use of screen time particularly on social media apps can impact a person mentally. Social media app always shows the painted picture of a person not the real lifestyle which leads to a comparison and make consumer feel unhappy, lonely and anxious. All these leads to a mental disaster and can foster feelings of inadequacy.
- Sleep Issues: Devices with screen emit blue lights and usage in dark room interferes with the production of Melatonin in our body. This Melatonin hormone in our body is responsible for the regulating sleep. Interference with the hormone can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep which leads to chronic sleep disorders.
Strategies to reduce Screen time:
- Set Boundaries: Try to restrict your screen time, particularly for recreational use. You can use apps to restrict your screen time for the apps that you use the most. You can also use digital well being apps on your devices which can track you activity and help you manage your screen time effectively.
- Screen free zones: Make some areas in your home screen free areas like, dinning room, guest room, hall or a particular room. And make sure you don’t carry smartphone or any other devices with screens in these areas. This encourages more face-to-face interaction with your family and helps in reducing temptations to use screens.
- 20-20-20 eyes rule: This rule is very helpful in reducing eye strains. This rule makes sure that your eyes are less strained. It says during screen time, after every 20 minutes take a 20 seconds break and look at something which is 20 feet away from you. This will reduce the eye strain and help your eyes in a great way.
- Offline Activities: Substitute your screen time with your hobbies or any other offline activities. It can be anything like reading a physical book, painting, hanging out with friends, going for a walk, meeting new people, etc. These provides a refreshing break from screen time and contribute to your overall well-being.
- Limit Social Media: Social media apps are the biggest contributor to the screen time as a person spend hours and hours on social media apps and becomes addictive of these apps which results into more screen time and it becomes a cycle that is hard to break. Kindly try to use less social media apps or can completely remove from your smart devices.
- Workspace Optimization: People who work on computers or laptops for long hours due to their work can optimize their workspace. Like, using a proper chair table setup, using an ergonomic chair to reduce physical strain on the body and adjust your screen settings as such that it can reduce the eye strain. Also try to keep your screen at a distance from you which can further help in reducing eye strain. Also, take regular breaks and do physical stretch exercises which also helps in reducing body strains.
CONCLUSION
Reducing screen time is essential for a healthy lifestyle. In today’s world where everything is digitalized setting boundaries as person on the screen time is very important. Remember it’s about making a balance with online and offline world. It’s abut embracing the technology as well as recognizing the importance of unplugging.
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Our other posts : https://gadgetevolv.com/cyber-attacks-on-smartphones-2024/
For more information on Screentime check on : www.google.com
