Staying both physically and mentally healthy in a world full of the unknown risks of intensive technology use is not always straightforward. The average person spends four hours of their day looking at screens, and this figure increases on average the further down the age groups you look. With the incredible pace of technological advances, it is worth taking certain precautions with our devices until more is known about their potential health implications. Read on for some practical ideas for ensuring the mental and physical health of yourself and your family in the digital age.
1. Turn Your WiFi Off at Night
Did you know that your WiFi router is the single biggest emitter of EMF radiation in your home? Radiation of any kind is harmful to the human body. It is a good idea to minimize your exposure to the radio signals emitted by your router by turning it off while you are sleeping.
2. Set Your Phone to Night Mode When You Are Sleeping
Charging your phone near your bed is a sure-fire way to ruin a good night’s sleep. Apart from this, cell phones emit radio signals that could be harmful. Turn your phone onto night mode to stop it giving off small amounts of radiation in the night.
3. Limit Social Media Use
Spending too much time looking at what others have been up to can lead to an unhealthy habit of comparing your life with others’ lives. As compulsive as checking your social media notifications is, limiting your social media use can bring peace of mind.
4. Take Occasional ‘Digital Vacations’
It is a great idea to mark a day a month in your diary on which you take a complete break from technology. Turning off from digital culture for a short time can help you relax and reconnect with what is really important in life.
5. Do Not Watch TV Straight Before Bed
The blue light emitted by TV or laptop screens has been proven to make it more difficult for people to fall asleep. Why not stimulate your mind in the old-fashioned way to help you drop off? Reading a book before going to bed is one of the most effective ways of getting a good night’s sleep.
6. Practice Mindfulness
Technology such as cell phones and the internet have accelerated the pace of modern life to such an extent that our brains can have trouble keeping up. To combat feelings of panic and anxiety, it can be a good idea to teach yourself mindfulness meditation techniques. Just a few minutes a day of concentrating on the present and being aware of your thought patterns will help you navigate the organized chaos of the digital era.
We have relatively little idea of the long-term health effects of modern technology. Nowadays, our eyes are constantly trained on our screens and our airwaves are full of potentially harmful radio signals. Make sure you follow official advice regarding the healthiness of your own technology habits.