Digital Detox

Like most people, I depend on my devices; they are critical to running my business, keeping in touch with my students and I love how easy it is to send a quick text to my daughter or husband. It is fantastic that you can access information, find your whereabouts, watch a movie, listen to your favourite tunes, and connect with someone on the other side of the word in a nanosecond. Remember using a map or memorizing a phone number? It’s a faded memory, I’m sure.

Despite all of the wonderful benefits our devices bring us, there is a cost to our health and relationships if we don’t find some balance.  We can’t seem to do anything without aimlessly staring at our devices; whether we are walking, driving, standing in line, having dinner or riding the subway. We’re not using our brains like we use to and I’m convinced that our brains are going to start shrinking because of the lack of stimulation. We have become lazy because our devices remember things and find answers for us.

In regards to our health; too much blue screen time can majorly mess with your sleep, impact your vision to the point of causing damage, increase the likelihood of cancer, depression, headaches and fatigue. That blue light is not so innocuous and too much use has serious consequences.

What to do:

·      Decrease your time on your devices. Check your email once an hour instead of every few minutes. Put your phone away. Keep it in your bag/briefcase while you’re on the subway, in the car, and walking.

·      Most importantly, keep your devices out of your bedroom (unless you are using your phone as an alarm and promise not to engage with it). If you just do this, you will notice a difference in your sleep and overall energy. You know that if you bring your phone to bed that you will look at it before you fall asleep,  when you 1st wake up, and if you get up in the middle of the night you will be tempted to check your Facebook page. Falling asleep, falling back to sleep and feeling rested by morning will be impossible because of the disturbance to your circadian rhythm.

Commit to……..

·      Turn off all of your devices 60 minutes or more before you go to bed.

·       Eat some of your meals without the company of your devices. Take an unplugged vacation. When you are off work, commit to connecting only once a day, or better still, go somewhere where you can’t connect. 

·      Do activities that make it hard to hold a phone. You can’t ride a bike and hold a phone (you could, but it’s kind of dangerous). Take a walk in the woods and leave your phone in your backpack.  When you’re with a friend or loved one, really be with them and turn off your phone.

·      When you first wake up, avoid looking at your phone for at least an hour. 

Consider trying Blue-Screen/Blue-Light Glasses (1) 

Glasses that include blue-light filtering technology can help offset some of the symptoms associated with the prolonged use of digital devices.

Blue-screen or blue-light glasses feature lenses that limit exposure to blue light. Additionally, blue light blocking lenses also include non-glare protection. Blue light is found in cell phones, tablets, computers, some light bulbs and sunshine. This particular wavelength of light has been shown to potentially damage your retina, which could lead to vision impairment. 

Blue-screen/blue-light filtering glasses can reduce the potential for damage to your eye and may improve symptoms of computer vision syndrome (another name for digital eye strain). Even if you don't need a prescription, you should consider a pair of glasses with blue light blocking technology. These days, there are very few people who aren't spending at least a few hours each day looking at digital screens.

Benefits of wearing blue-light glasses:

Relieves eye discomfort 

Enhances your focus and reduce eye strain, resulting in making your eyes feel less tired and improving productivity. 

Sleep better  

Blue-light blocking glasses can reduce the impact of blue light, enabling you to use your devices before bed and still get a good night’s sleep. However, the best option is to put the screen down before it's time for bed.

Can help reduce the likelihood of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a leading cause of blindness. Blue-light blocking lenses can help avoid or delay this condition by preventing blue light from impacting your eyes. 

Our devices interfere with our ability to be immersed in things happening right now. Stillness, space and the ability to be alone are essential to our well-being and creativity. You cannot give things your full attention if you are always looking at your devices.

Look at ways to disconnect from your devices. Your health and relationships depend on it. Get connected to what really matters.

Be well. 

Anita 

RESOURCES:

1) www.foreyes.com/