Did you know that the average American spends seven hours and four minutes in front of a screen each day? Is this really how we are supposed to be spending our time?
While smartphones and other devices are a useful part of our lives, too much technology is proving detrimental to our health. Our physical, social, and professional well-beings suffer when we don’t know how to spend less time on the phone.
Cutting back on screen time is a must. Here are a few tips on how to reduce screen time and why it is so important to do so.
The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time
Like all activities that require little movement, spending too much time on your phone can be linked to obesity due to lack of activity. This can lead to higher blood pressure, diebetes, and poor heart health.
The light emitted from the phones can also interfere with your brain’s sleep cycle causing difficulty sleeping. You may also experience chronic neck and back pain due to poor posture when using the phone.
Studies also show that higher screen time can be linked to depression and anxiety. This is likely due to the inhibited social life created by too much screen time.
There are also many potential health issues from the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from phones. It’s a good idea to shop for protection against these emissions.
How to Reduce Screen Time
It’s clear that less screen time is something we all need. So here are a few tips for reducing screen time.
1. Set Aside a Time to Unplug
Schedule a specified time when you need to unplug. Use this as a time to do something productive, or spend quality time with family or friends.
2. Consider Keeping the Phone Out of Your Room
When your phone is plugged in right next to your bed, you’ll be more tempted to use it and throw off your sleep cycle. If you keep it out of the room, that temptation goes away.
3. Seek Out Other Activities
Read a book. Join a gym and be more active. Do some yardwork.
Any activity that means less time on your phone and more time being active and with people is helpful in reducing screen time.
4. No Phone’s During Meals
Remember when meals were a time to converse with people? Nowadays everyone’s on Instagram instead of talking.
Put the phone away and engage with other people over a nice. You’ll feel much better by being more social.
Unplug and Enjoy Life
These tips on how to reduce screen time will allow you to be more active, have better health, and have an active social life. Don’t let your phone master your every moment. Unplug for a little while and make the most out of life.
Check our our Health and Lifestyle sections for more pieces like this.
