In fact, it’s hard to find a space in the home that doesn’t have at least one electronic device plugged in and turned on, but the question is, is all of this screen time good for your health? The answer might not be as obvious as you think.

The problem with screen time is never the technology itself; rather, it has more to do with how we choose to use our devices and whether or not they’re interfering with other aspects of life like sleep or exercise habits. As an example, watching TV before bed may cause trouble falling asleep because screens emit blue light which alters circadian rhythms (the internal clock) and suppresses melatonin levels which can contribute to insomnia if done close to bedtime.

What are the various health implications of excessive use of electronic gadgets?

Screen time has become an integral part of our lives with the constant use of electronic gadgets like smartphones, laptops, desktops, etc. There are many factors that need to be considered when it comes to screen time but one thing is for sure, too much of anything is bad! It’s important how we choose to use our devices and whether or not they’re interfering with other aspects of life like sleep or exercise habits.

How does screen time affect your sleep cycle?

Screen time can adversely affect your sleep cycle in a number of ways. There is significant evidence to suggest that screen time before bed can severely affect the quality and duration of sleep. One experiment showed a reduction in total sleep time, deep slow-wave sleep (SWS), and REM after viewing an hour’s worth of bright light from TV compared with dim light exposure. In addition, experts have reported seeing people who are using electronic devices late at night complain about insomnia for various reasons. As an example, blue LED emitted by these screens might be stimulating parts of our brains involved with alertness even when we aren’t looking directly at them or focusing on them.

The body temperature also increases while watching television, especially LCD TVs since they emit more heat than other types of TVs, and this too can affect sleep quality.

Teenagers and children are the highest at-risk group to get affected by electronic gadget overuse because of their lifestyle and habits. Watching TV before bedtime can also cause delayed circadian rhythms in teens which make them sleepy very late, for example past 11 pm or midnight.

It has been found that exposure to bright light from using electronic gadgets, for example, laptops or mobile phones after sunset can suppress melatonin secretion resulting in trouble falling asleep. People who use these devices while lying down might be putting themselves more at risk since this position could aggravate reflux disease (heartburn) where acid flows up into the oesophagus causing pain. Another harmful effect is related to blue LEDs used on all kinds of screens including mobile phones, tabs, and computers. These blue light LEDs have been found to be a potential health hazard for retina cells and might increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, one kind of eye disease where central vision becomes gradually damaged. Furthermore, excessive use of electronic gadgets can cause physical injuries since people tend to hold them in an awkward position while texting or playing games on mobile devices.

The effects of reducing screen time:

Reducing screen time is an essential step towards healthy living. You can follow some tips which are given below to reduce your screen time and keep yourself safe from the harmful effects of excessive use of electronic gadgets:

• Switch off all the electronic devices at least one hour before going to bed since they might interfere with sleep patterns.
• Use same-day disposable lenses instead of conventional glasses as it reduces eye strain significantly.
• If you feel discomfort or any pain while using an electronic device, stop using it immediately until you consult a doctor.
• Take regular breaks during prolonged usage of screens so that eyes remain fresh for longer periods.

As you can see, there are several harmful effects related to excessive use of electronic gadgets which could affect our mental and physical well-being. Thus, even though you may be tempted by all the electronic items for sale, it is important that we should limit their usage at a particular time to avoid any negative impact on health.