Digital technology, LED screens, and flashing lights are seemingly inescapable in this day and age. It is truly impossible to live a day without some sort of technology in your life. While you can’t deny the obvious benefits and conveniences technology has on our lives, it is time to start discussing the potential health risks they bring to the table as well. Read on to learn the possible symptoms of technology fatigue and pain, how you can prevent these injuries, and practices you can implement in your life to further benefit yourself and your well being.

How Damage is Caused and the Symptoms You May be Feeling

As you are reading this, take note of your posture and where you are holding your phone, tablet, or laptop. More common with phones and tablets, many hold their devices in a fashion where your head is looking down which causes major strain on your neck. This phone/tablet placement is so common with people nowadays that it has been coined a formal name called ‘text neck’. This can also affect folks who are spending multiple hours a day on the computer or playing video games, which is all dependent on your personal setup and posture tendencies.

A few of the many symptoms you can experience from technology fatigue are:

Pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms
Muscle spasms in the neck, back, and shoulders
Headaches
Pain when moving your neck
Numbness and tingling in your arms and hands due to irritated nerves
Balance problems caused by posture changes

Keep in mind, these posture issues are not just for older individuals. This is a danger for young people as well, as this stress on your body could eventually stunt growth, increase risk of further injury, and create bad habits that can last for years.

How to Prevent and Relieve Pain from Technology Overuse

While there isn’t a simple one-stop-shop fix for the straining of your body from technology use, I can confidently offer a few solutions that will help prevent or ease pain.

Alter the Position You Hold Your Devices: Change the position you hold your smartphones and tablets from waist level to eye level. This will immediately take stress off of your neck constantly looking downward.
Decrease Your Screen Time: Power down your digital devices at least one hour before bedtime. This will take strain off of your eyes and improve your sleep dramatically.
Invest in Yourself: Look into purchasing ergonomic chairs, a standing desk, blue light glasses, and stretching bands, and visit a chiropractor regularly.

I hope this blog has opened your eyes to the dangers of spending hours in front of technology day in and day out. While a desk job might not seem like a physically taxing job, there are plenty of injuries that you can sustain from sitting in a desk chair for an extended part of your day.

How Technology Overuse May Be Causing Damage to Your Body