Health Hazards of Technology

The year 2020 has been the year of adapting the situation and responding to in accordance. Technology has helped us going beyond continents but at the same time, it has its flip side on health and our lifestyle.

In the pre-pandemic time, parents had been trying to restrict the screen time of children and engage them in physical activity but post-pandemic, the health safety of children has been utmost important.

As adults, our screen time has increased manifold and this has also caused us to be extra concerned about our health and diet. Here are the health hazards which have resulted from the ‘online’ culture and also the practical approach to avoiding its negative impact

• Digital eye strain
  Prolonged use of gadgets has led to a new word, digital eye strain. The uninterrupted screen time causes blurred vision, dry eyes and headaches.
  Children and adults, both need to take a break off the screen for a minute after every 20 minutes so that our eye muscles get relaxed and the stress on our optical nerves is reduced.

• Reduced motor skills and increased musculoskeletal issues
  The uninhibited use of fingers-on computer device, mobile phones or tabs, harm our fine and gross motor skills. Also, the position while being ok gadgets puts a lot of stress on your neck, shoulders, and spine.
  Promote gross and fine motor skill activities like playing with clay and writing rather than just surfing, which will help in developing these skills. When spending time in front of the screen, take frequent breaks to stretch and maintain correct posture.

• Adverse effect on the right nutrition
  The sitting time required on the gadgets has hampered our nutrition and diet severely. During the pandemic, a lot of people complained of being overweight or some underweight as well as for knee and joint pains.
  The ‘online’ culture is here to stay and this requires us to be more aware of our nutritional approach. Follow these dietary guidelines to stay fit and healthy.
  • Increase the fibre content in your diet with the incorporation of veggies and fruits.
  • Snack on nuts, seeds, roasted rice flakes, roasted black gram, roasted makhanas, rather than fried and refined flour snacks.
  • Increase the intake of water to avoid gastric troubles like constipation and flatulence due to reduced physical activity.
  • Have all the healthy options in the kitchen rather than processed foods so that the kids are left with no option but to grab a fruit or ask for homemade lemonade rather than chips and fizzy soft drinks.
  • Engage in physical activity for about 30-40 minutes for the proper functioning of all the vital organs, heart, liver and kidneys.

• Sleep problems
  The lockdown has caused us to have more adhered to OTT platforms. The erratic sleep hours have led to major health issues. The ‘work from home’ culture has also extended the work hours beyond the usual physical working hours, depriving one of sleep.
  Set hour limits for work as well as entertainment. Whether you are feeling sleepy or not, stay in your bed with lights of. Also, have a half glass of milk with 5-6 cashew nuts as it will induce good sleep.

• Emotional problems
  Using social media can make you feel more connected to the world. But, comparing yourself to others can leave you feeling inadequate or left out.
  If social media use makes you feel anxious or depressed, try cutting back to see if doing so makes a difference. Meditating for 15-20 minutes daily (at a chosen time) can also help in calming down.

Hence, there should always be judicious use of technology in our lives. 

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