Is modern life bad for us?

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We all adore our luxuries. But what harm does our "always on" technology cause to our mental and physical well-being? And how can we address it? The pressing of a button or screen swipe. These days, technology sure makes life easier. But it also runs the risk of leading us to a way of life that may cause more harm than good to our brains and bodies. First, let's look at your smartphone. Without it, you'd be lost, right? not only for messaging, calling, and texting friends and contacts, but also for music, entertainment, news, on-the-go banking, shopping, and any other online activity you want. The problem, of course, is that your phone may end up doing very little for you because it does so much for you. 111

The constant attention it frequently requires can also be detrimental to "real life," causing us to sit for an excessive amount of time. We also all know how bad it can be for our health and well-being to sit and stare at a screen for long periods of time. Pain and suffering In the past, television was always regarded as the popular opium, but now it is our smartphones, tablets, and computers. They also bring with them a whole new set of potential health issues. To begin, the condition known as "Text Neck" is now officially referred to as a repetitive stress injury brought on by excessive texting on mobile devices. It would appear that our bodies are not made to look down for extended periods of time.

 However, the risks can easily be reduced by holding your device at eye level instead. However, other conditions can become more severe, such as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which is characterized by persistent headaches and blurry eyes caused by spending too much time in front of a screen; obesity; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS); and New Zealand's single leading cause of death, heart disease1. Memory loss Face-to-face social interaction is more important to us than we might think. Sadly, we are well aware that we spend an increasing amount of our waking hours staring at screens,

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which can be problematic.

 This is due to the fact that having conversations in person is not only socially satisfying but also extremely beneficial to our brains. In point of fact, a recent study found that even just 10 minutes of actual conversation per day can improve memory and cognition2. For those who are still in doubt, no, online video calls do not count. You can begin to see where we're headed when you consider that many of us are now working from home — pandemic or not — and are deprived of the opportunities to socialize more frequently at work. If we let it, modern life can actually be bad for us. What can we therefore do about it? The easy answer is to spend less time in front of screens and more time with our loved ones and friends. Keeping this in mind, the following are some of our top recommendations for minimizing the negative effects that modern life can have on your mental and physical health:

 1) Stop checking constantly.

 Can't help but glance at your phone's most recent activity? You won't be alone. Even though it can be difficult to do at any time of day, the constant need to know can also cause more stress3. Therefore, try to schedule times throughout the day when you completely disregard any notifications, texts, or emails you might receive, and stop trying to cover everything at once.

 2) Take it easy on social media.

We all use social media to stay in touch with friends, family, and the rest of the world. But keep in mind that people are always tempted to only post their best selves online, which can make you feel like your life isn't as interesting or fulfilling. Therefore, let go of the stress, concentrate on yourself instead, and occasionally give social media a break. 

3) A digital detox 

Still one step forward. According to studies, while many of us truly believe that a digital detox, or unplugging or disconnecting from our devices for a while, would be beneficial to our mental health, very few of us actually implement the concept. Social media overuse, particularly, has been linked to feelings of loneliness and depression4. Increase the frequency with which you turn them off. You don't have to be online all the time.

4) Take some time to relax. 

We all need to rest and recharge on a regular basis if we are not to feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of modern life. Before diving back in, there are a number of tried-and-true methods that can assist us in winding down, refocusing, taking a short nap, going for a walk, or even taking a long bath. 

5) Develop healthier routines.

Eat, rest, and work out. Our mental and physical well-being are inextricably linked to the three primary physical well-being factors. Try to find areas of your life that could be used for some improvement if you can. Could you, for instance, eat healthier, exercise more, or establish a better sleep schedule? Changing your habits now could help you avoid serious health issues in the future.

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