Use of Screens for More than 7 Hours a Day Harms the Physical as Well as Mental Health of Individuals

A report presented by the American Optometric Association (AOA) shows that more than 7 hours of screen time is very harmful to our health and it costs about $73 billion per year to the US economy. Avoiding the use of digital devices and screens is very tough because most of our lives revolve around them nowadays. But, it has many harmful effects on our health too. The report revealed that spending over 7 hours a day on screens can lead to significant "health consequences", such as digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome (CVS). Common symptoms and effects of these conditions include dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, as well as back and neck pain.

Screen Overuse: AOA Report Reveals $73 Billion Annual Cost and Health Risks
Photo: Digital Information World - AIgen

If people don't take DES seriously, it can also result in a decrease in their productivity, dealing with some other eye problems, and harmful consequences on sleep schedule, and mental health. Some of its other effects can include over-presence in the workplace or being absent a lot during work hours. When an individual suffers from these conditions, he will have to frequently visit his health providers too and that will result in spending a lot of money. Overall, the quality of life will see a huge decline.

The solution to all these problems isn't only reducing your screen time and be mindful of those devices, especially among people whose jobs depend on spending time in front of screens. 70% of the individuals who do office jobs need to spend their time using screens as compared to 42% of the people who have some other professions. The best way to keep yourself safe from DES is by looking for its symptoms and regular eye checkups. Also, wear some eyewear recommended by an eye specialist while working in front of a screen. You can also follow a 20-20-20 rule where with every 20 minutes on screen, you have to look at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. Don't forget to manage and fix your posture too by using a chair and table suitable for your height. Taking breaks between working on screens is also very beneficial for your physical as well as mental health.

Read next: Report Shows iPhone 15 Pro Has a Higher Satisfaction Rate Than the iPhone 15 Base Variants

Previous Post Next Post