Too much of anything is never good, and this particularly rings true when it comes to how much time we spend on our devices. In our modern age, it’s become the norm to spend hours a day staring at screens, but at what cost?
We’re here to explain 3 important reasons to limit your screen time and some tips to help you do so. Take a break from looking for a Delaware moving company or scrolling Instagram, and let’s get right into it.
Physical Health
Excessive screen time has been shown to contribute to or cause a slew of physical health problems all the way from neck pain to increasing risk of heart disease and obesity. Too much time spent on your phone or tablets has also been associated with poor sleep quality, which has a drastic impact on your overall well-being.
With this in mind, it’s paramount that you work to limit and minimize the amount of time you spend on your devices each day to help protect your body and keep your physical health in check.
Mental Health
Spending too much time on your devices can cause a host of mental health issues. Research continues to show that excessive screen time can contribute to an increase in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and brain fog. It’s somewhat of a trap, as people who are more susceptible to mental health issues often turn to technology to escape or cope which further worsens their issues or the likelihood they’ll experience mental health disorders.
Limiting the time you spend on your devices is crucial when it comes to taking care of your mental health.
Relationships
When social media first became popular, it was a new way to connect with others. However, social media now has become one of the biggest ways that people communicate with one another. This means there’s less quality time spent with others and a decrease in face-to-face interactions. In turn, this causes issues in relationships as we slowly lose our ability to connect and bond with others if we spend most of our time communicating via a screen.
When you limit the time you spend on social media, you give yourself more time and space to connect with others in the real world which is essential for building and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.
Tips for Limiting Screen Time
- Take a social media break or social media detox.
- Set a timer on your phone to limit your usage.
- Find healthier ways to entertain yourself.
- Hold yourself accountable.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation when you feel tempted to scroll on your phone.
- Keep your phone or devices in the other room.
- Avoid your phone first thing in the morning and before you go to sleep.