With smartphones and screens now a part of daily life for people of all ages, grasping their impact on our health has never been more critical. Americans check their phones on average over 140 times daily. Mounting research reveals that excessive screen use influences virtually every bodily system.
The eyes are the first primary organ affected. Your phone’s tiny screen silently blasts blue light and electromagnetic fields. You don’t feel them, but your body does. It mixes red, green, and blue and spikes in high-energy visible (HEV) blue light. Our eyes can’t block it, therefore, HEV slips straight through to the retina, harming eyes.
Excessive screen use disrupts sleep by suppressing melatonin and throwing off circadian rhythms, causing headaches, musculoskeletal neck pain and poor posture. Prolonged screen time promotes sedentary behavior, raising risks of heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure.
The brain is impacted through overwhelming cognitive load, potential memory issues, stress, and poor mental health. Screen overuse spikes stress, anxiety, mood swings, and depression through relentless continuous partial attention that saps mental reserves.
Studies link frequent cellphone use to worse hearing and potential loss. During calls, radiofrequency waves penetrate the ear, auditory nerve, and temporal lobe, causing tissue heating and auditory stimulation, even without sound.
Adopt healthier screen habits by blinking frequently, reducing glare, and taking regular breaks. Hold your phone at arm’s length when reading or watching videos. Use speaker mode for long calls to limit radiation exposure, and avoid keeping devices near your pillow or bed while sleeping.
Cutting screen time is essential for a healthy body. Replace it with engaging alternatives. Balancing digital and real-world activities is the key first step to healthier living in our tech-driven world.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Association between Exposure to Smartphones and Ocular Health in Adolescents
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