Smartphones and tablets give us access to the latest news and get real time responses via email and text. However, the increased connectivity has become a source of stress for many people. Here are four ways to minimize your gadget stress and still enjoy technology:
Problem 1: Smartphones and tablets are leading to more diagnosis of arthritis, and tendonitis, usually of the elbows, thumbs and neck1.
Solution 1: To ease the pain, make sure to hold your phone at chest level, and always use a stand with your tablet.
Problem 2: The LED light on your phone tablet or computer may interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone vital to good sleep.
Solution 2: Unplug from your devices before bedtime. You can also install apps to adjust the brightness of your device based on the time of day. F.lux (iPhone, iPad) or Lux (for Android) are 2 such apps.
Problem 3: Juggling multiple applications on our smartphones, laptops and tablets may seem like multitasking but in reality make us less productive when offline. Also, it has been shown to put your heart on high alert causing increased stress and higher rates of cortisol.2
Solution3 : Set an hour or two aside each day to turn it all off. Decompress by taking a walk, spending time with friend and family, or enjoying non-electronic activities.
Problem 4: Paying more attention to the smartphone than the road has serious consequences. Texting while driving creates a crash risk 23 times greater than non-distracted driving. In real terms, this averts the driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, equal to driving the length of a football field blind at 55mph.3
Solution 4: Put the phone away. No message is important enough to cause an accident.
References
1. Health, June 2013
2.UC Irvine