Technology is everywhere these days. In fact, about 97% of Americans own a smartphone, making technology easier to access than ever before.

As we know, the ever-evolving world of technology has its many benefits, but have you ever stopped to wonder if it’s taking a toll on our overall health? Unfortunately, technology does have its drawbacks. When technology is used too much or not in the way intended, it can result in eye strain, loss of hearing, poor posture, lack of social interactions and irregular sleep patterns.

Eye strain

Have you ever looked at your phone screen for so long that your eyes started to hurt? You’re not alone; this is a common problem due to long periods of screen time. The following are the usual symptoms of eye strain caused by technology:

• Dry eyes.
• Headache.
• Blurred vision.
• Eye fatigue.

Before experiencing these eye discomforts, you can take several measures to reduce the toll technology takes on your eyes. First, check your lighting. You want to ensure there isn’t another light source obstructing your view since this can cause your eyes to over focus. Then, try to do the 20-20-20 exercise: Take a break every 20 minutes for 20 seconds to look at an object that is at least 20 feet away. Lastly, remind yourself to blink often to produce an adequate amount of hydration for your eyes.

Loss of hearing

Did you know that loss of hearing can be caused by technology? Our ears are so sensitive to loud and prolonged noise since the hair cells in our ears never reproduce once they have been damaged. When using headphones to listen to music or a video, be sure to keep the volume low to lessen the impact it has on your hearing. Additionally, taking periodic breaks from your headphones can help keep your inner ear in good condition.

Poor posture

Americans, on average, are now spending seven hours and four minutes a day using technology. Bending and hunching over a computer, smart phone or video game can have a negative effect on posture. Our posture plays a major role in our body’s alignment, helping to avoid back and joint pain.

To stay away from achy joints and muscles, make sure to have a chair that supports your back, position your devices directly in front of your eyes and place your feet on the floor or a footrest. By taking time to position yourself the right way, you can spare yourself from unnecessary pain.

Lack of social interactions

The connections between family, friends, neighbors and even co-workers are so important to our mental well-being. A lack of social interactions can lead to depression, stress and anxiety. Face-to-face interactions are becoming less and less common due to the convenience of texting, calling and emailing. Relying too much on technology to communicate can lead to self-isolation.

As you go throughout your day, make a conscious effort to have several in-person connections. Building strong relationships can positively improve your mood.

Irregular sleeping

Are you having restless nights? Technology might be the cause. The stimulation and the blue light that many screens give off can negatively affect our brains. Blue light hinders the production of melatonin. To counteract this and allow your brain to settle down, refrain from using technology at least an hour before bed.

Technology is important to our everyday lives, but it is just as important for us to put it down every once in a while. By taking a break, you can build strong in-person relationships, reduce chances of eye strain, prevent loss of hearing, correct poor posture and avoid sleep problems.

Lindsey Certonio is a project manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based, end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.

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