Technology has become prevalent in virtually all aspects of life. In fact, the average smartphone user checks their device as many as 52 times each day. Although technology can significantly improve the quality of our lives, it’s easy to become too dependent on it, which in turn harms our mental and physical health and wellbeing. It’s therefore essential to adopt healthy tech habits that can prevent poor health consequences.
Pay attention to your posture
Staring at a screen the whole day wreaks havoc on posture. The more you look down, the more the muscles at the back of your head have to work to hold your head up. When using technology, make an effort to maintain good posture and sit up straight. Aligning the vertebrae of your back this way will benefit your body immensely over time. Additionally, chin tucking is an effective at-home exercise used to improve head and spine alignment. It can be performed throughout the day as needed to relieve pain, correct posture, and strengthen the neck.
Relax your jaw
It’s common for people to find themselves clenching their jaws or grinding their teeth while looking at the screen. In turn, this irritates and pains your facial muscles. It’s important to pay attention to how you're holding your jaw and break this harmful habit. To relax your jaw and facial muscles, open your mouth slightly and drop your jaw. Allow your tongue to lift to the roof of your mouth. This simple act will improve how you feel both physically and psychologically.
Switch off
Technology is a prime cause of disrupted and poor quality sleep. Computers, smartphones and tablets emit "blue" light, which is identified by special cells behind our eyeballs and tells the brain it’s morning (alternatively, red light signals it's time to go to sleep). This throws the body’s biological clock out of whack, and may also even contribute to diabetes, cancer, obesity and heart disease. Ideally, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep every night. If you’re in the habit of aimlessly scrolling through your phone in bed, make an effort to stop. Switch your phone off at least 30 minutes before you get into bed, and your body will thank you.
It’s essential to be mindful about your technology use to enjoy its benefits while minimizing any health impacts. Adopting these positive tech habits can help keep you healthy for life.
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