Are you in control of your Digital Life?

Are you in control of your Digital Life? (J.Seif)

Recent research in the area of assessing the physical impact of prolonged technology use has revealed that there are links between an excessive use of technology and poor physical and mental health. According to Holmes (2014), some of the ailments that present in adults between the ages of 18-65 as a result of prolonged technology exposure include but is not limited to, 

1.     Digital Eye Strain

2.     Headaches

3.     Computer Hunch(Back Strain)

4.     LaptopNeck

5.     Desktopitis

Cook (2016) states that, “perhaps the most dramatic impact is the reduction in the amount of sleep”. The physical consequences of prolonged use of technology seem to be pretty clear but what are the reasons driving us to our demise.  Could it be that, we have COMMITMENTS! Could it be that we have RESPONSIBLITIES! Could it be that we do not have unlimited amounts of TIME!  Our devices have become our everything. They have become our smart FRIEND.  They provide the instant acess to information, services and communities that we have developed a craving for. How can we take back control of our digital lives? How do we balance our use without risk of damage to our health? I propose that a process of reflection on how you use technology could assist in reducing some of the physical injuries that one might experience due an overuse of technology. 
Zone – N (2015) has created a comprehensive Technology Usage Questionnaire that I encourage you to look at.  Bonus, this questionnaire can be printed and completed in the traditional manner using paper and pen giving you a micro technology break J

References

10 Most Common Tech Injuries - Gadgets Causing You Pain! (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttps://www.brightonsportstherapy.co.uk/tech-related-injuries

Antoine-Chagar, C. (2018, May 21). How much does technology mess with your physical      health? Retrieved from https://medium.com/digital-society/how-much-does-technology-mess-with-your-physical-health-f1d27f685283

Bauman, A., Ainsworth, B., Sallis, J., Hagstromer, M., Craig, C., Bull, F., . . . Sjostrom, M.(2011). The descriptive epidemiology of sitting. A 20-country comparison using theInternational Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). American Journal of Preventive Medicine,41(2), 228-235. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.05.003

Cook, J. (2016, April 01). Digital technology can be harmful to your health. Retrieved from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/digital-technolgy-can-harm-your-health

Hermes. (2017, September 25). Heavy use of digital devices can trigger headaches. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/heavy-use-of-digital-devices-can-trigger-headaches

Holmes, L. (2014, December 05). Sneaky Ways Technology Is Messing With Your Body And Mind. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/05/health-effects-of technol_n_6263120.html

Problems & Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/digital eye-strain

Technology Usage Questionnaire. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.zoneinworkshops.com/pdf/Technology Usage Questionnaire (TUQ).pdf