It isn’t just teenagers that need to, “check your screen time”. It’s all of us. To be fair, the amount of time people spend online can vary greatly. Depending on a number of factors, such as age, occupation, and location, your habits are your own. However, studies have shown that on average, adults in the United States spend approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes per day using digital media. This includes activities such as browsing the internet, using social media, and streaming video content. This number has increased significantly over the past decade. Driven by the proliferation of mobile devices and the growing importance of online communication and entertainment in daily life.
Self-Check The Impact
The impact of spending a lot of time online on physical, mental, emotional, and overall health can be both positive and negative. Here are some potential effects that we most want to highlight. By bringing these facets into your awareness, increased mindfulness is just around the bend.
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Physical health
- Excessive time spent online can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Thus, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. Additionally, prolonged exposure to screens can cause eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns.
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Mental health
- Studies have found a link between excessive social media use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Spending too much time online can also contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This reinforcesa sense of disconnection from the real world.
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Emotional health
- Social media and other online platforms can be both a source of support and a source of stress. Comparing oneself to others online can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, while online harassment and bullying can cause emotional distress.
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Overall health
- Excessive time spent online can impact overall health by reducing the amount of time people spend engaging in physical activity, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing hobbies and interests outside of the digital world.
We must recognize, however, that when used in moderation, online resources and social networks can offer valuable support, education, and connection to individuals and communities. It’s a matter of balance and intentional use. Ironically, raising education and awareness online is the best way to increase the odds that our community will start to unplug a little more regularly. The next time you think about calling someone our for their digital habits; check your screen time instead. Remember, Living Your Yoga Changes Your Brain for the better…get more of that!!