3 Ways That Modern Technology is Ruining Your Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Modern technology is amazing. We have massive amounts of information at the tips of our fingertips, and we walk around with tiny computers in our pockets. What could possibly be better?! Even though this question is meant to be rhetorical, it has an unsettling answer. You know what could be better? Our health. With the rise of technology, our health statistics have taken a serious nosedive. Are these related? Perhaps they aren’t in all cases, but it’s hard to ignore some of the links between more technology and bad health. Here are three ways in which modern technology may be contributing to poor health.
It Encourages Massive Amounts of Sitting
While some forms of technology such as TV and the like can be done at the same time as a great workout, many other forms simply don’t work that way. You want to run while surfing the internet? Yeah, that’s probably not going to happen. Because of this, many people do a whole lot of sitting. We sit and play on our phones. We sit in front of the computer. I’m even guilty of sitting in front of the TV glued to my phone with an open laptop beside me. This increase in sitting in recent years has led to weak muscles, back pain, and even heart problems. While technology is a great thing for many, it can also be a problem for motivating you to move.
It Strains the Eyes and Causes Headaches
So much time spent staring at a screen is hard on the eyes. Our eyes were simply not made to do that. Over time, this can cause significant strain, even resulting in long-term wearing of glasses. This tends to be worse for those who sit in front of a screen all day. The eye strain also contributes to an increase in headaches. If you find yourself squinting when you haven’t always or you're experiencing more headaches than usual, you may look to your technology habits to discover the culprit.
It Stunts Mental and Emotional Health
While having a ton of information readily available can be wonderful, it can also be a hindrance. In a recent study conducted on social media and its users, those who spent a lot of time on sites such as Facebook and Twitter were more likely to exhibit signs of depression. The consensus was that these forms of media only give us snippets into others’ lives. These snippets are often a facade into reality, and as a result, it harms the mental and emotional health of many young people. Our minds and bodies were meant for real face-to-face interaction, and when we deprive them of that, it can do significant damage long-term.
Technology can be great, and we all know it. It can open us up to a world that we may not ever experience otherwise. When it comes to health, however, it may be doing more harm than good in many cases. Take a good long look at your technology habits, and make changes where necessary. It may very well save your health and your life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.