People spend about 8.74 years of their life staring at a cell phone screen, according to WhistleOut. With so much time spent using phones and other pieces of technology, it’s worth considering how your health can be affected. Your device can have both positive and negative effects on your health: what are some of the different ways that smartphones and technology impact you?
Neck Pain
When you look down at your smartphone, placing your chin on your chest, you inadvertently place about 60 pounds of force on your neck, says Cleveland Clinic. When done consistently, the pressure can strain muscles and cause tears on the structure of the neck.
Constantly looking down on your phone can also have negative effects on your posture. A good way to keep your neck healthy is by doing neck exercises like chin tucks, as they help alleviate muscle tension and improve your posture. It also helps to take regular breaks and hold your phone at an angle where you aren’t looking down at it.
Positive Coping
Over the past year, one in five adults in America reported a decline in their mental health, according to the American Psychological Association. Technology like smartphones and video game consoles played a part in helping individuals cope.
The use of teleconferencing through smartphones and computers helped assuage feelings of depression and loneliness, according to Stress & Health. Social support is highly beneficial in helping you improve your mental health in the midst of trying times.
Better Self-Organization
Around 84% of people around the world struggle with procrastination, according to a study published in Psychological Sciences Journal. Procrastination and disorganization can lead to stress and anxiety, which can have detrimental effects on your health.
Thankfully, you can make use of apps on your smartphone to lead you to better self-organization. Using apps like 1-3-5 List, Focus@Will, and Simple Habit can help keep you on track and stave off any ill health effects of procrastination.
Technology like smartphones will continue to play a big part in your daily life, so it’s good to be aware of how it can affect your health, and what you can do if the effects prove to be detrimental. Take some time to learn more about how to secure better health for yourself, and free yourself of worry about your technology use.
