How Your Phone is Harming Your Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Phones. We all love them. We all spend hours and hours staring at them. And at this point in time, none of us would know how to function without them. The funny thing about phones is that they bring a lot of good into our lives -- like instant communication and information -- but they also bring a lot of bad -- like health problems. If you’re, like everyone else, addicted to your phone, take a look at these ways it might be ruining your health so you can cut back.
Emotionally: It’s Causing the Blues
For emotional reasons alone, technology isn't the best thing in our lives. Our phones give us instant communication, its true. But what happens when we get used to and depend on that aspect, and then it disappears? You'll likely feel down and depressed. Why isn't anyone texting you? Why is your phone so silent? Of course this will make us feel bad! If this sounds like the roller coaster of emotions happening in your life, it might be wise to put the phone down more often.
Mentally: It’s Stressing You Out
It probably isn't the phone itself that causes stress, but what we do with our phones. At one point in time, we left work at work. But now? We're constantly connected through text and email, both of which come through our phones, no matter where we're located. We also use our phones for social media, and study after study has shown that social media causes unnecessary comparisons and excessive stress. Want to stay mentally well? Put the phone down.
Physically: It’s Killing Your Posture
Most people don't think about physical health being ruined by the phone, but it can make a big impact. When we're on our phones, we tend to sit slumped over, slouching with necks bent. Why is this a problem? Because it's causing ongoing neck and back pain, and there's very little relief. If you can't control your phone use, at least learn to use it with better posture in order to protect your physical health long-term.
Phones have come a long way. They can bring so much good into our lives … as long as we use them appropriately. Watch for these unhealthy aspects of using your phone, and correct your habits when necessary. With some better habits, you can use your phone and gain the benefits without ruining your health in the process.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Allen, Va.