Hi! This prompt got my attention, and I want to do this.
I had to put part 2 of “7 Things That Are Not Supporting Your Heart Health” on hold for a while, but I promise to give you that within this month.
Screen time! Hmmm, what do you think about this? It means the time we spend with our screens. It could mean watching Netflix, playing games, spending time on social media, or even reading blog posts from your favorite health blogger.
In this short blog post, we will first see how much time is allotted to screen time, then we will see some side effects and some possible solutions.
How much time is for screen time?
As I mentioned, screen time is the total time spent staring at a screen, which could mean computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. Out of 24 hours, an average person gives 6 hours and 40 minutes to screen time.
Out of that, 143 minutes are spent on social media. That means the remaining time could be for binge-watching, playing games, or even learning with some app.
6+ hours is a lot, and it could be even more because we might be overlooking time spent checking the phone for calls, maps, shopping, etc.
But imagine the damage excessive screen time is causing you.
Why excessive screen time is thing to worry
When you watch too much, you are inviting too much unwanted strain on your eyes, brain, mental health and even physical health
> Blue light emitted from screen can suppress the melatonin. This is something that happens during the day time- naturally. But here, screen is doing it. So, that means no sleep.
You can know what that will do by reading this post.
-> In children excessive screen is linked to cognitive decline and learning issues. Children become irritable. It delay their brain development. It can even effect their growth.
As children or even adults might get glued with phone. They might avoid real life, This will make them miss real things.
-> Excessive screen time can effect the way we think. As we get info back to back and we are not creatively thinking. We may not be actively thinking or not challenging our self. While, with activities like drawing, writing or playing music we are getting more creative.
-> It reduces social experience and not only that, it give wrong ideas like comparison, false narrative etc.
This all can effect mental health and more.
I haven’t yet mentioned how much strain it puts on the eyes, as you may have some idea for that, if not, read this.
How to fix this?
What I do is have a healthy boundaries, simple. You need that too. You have to be more mindful. You need to find time for other things.
Your phone is ruling you, it’s like an addiction, and it’s shrinking the size of your brain. You don’t know your limits, but excessive screen time can surely keeping at limit.
In children it’s affecting the brain health and I feel a lot of time parents are responsible for that. Because they are giving it to their child so that they don’t get bothered.
We need some kind of rules at home, where phones or computer should be banned after certain hours.
Like I stop using phone after certain time at night (after 9:30) and don’t use it first thing in the morning.
Instead of phone, other activities should be encouraged. Family time, game night seems like a great idea.
Conclusion
Excessive screen time is addictive. We need to recognize the need for change, establish better regulations, and become more mindful.
Screen time can be gradually reduced with the right steps. For kids, foster open conversations and help them set healthy boundaries.
Keep smiling!
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