Endless smartphones, iPads, laptops, microwaves, and many more! Have you ever wondered if these technologies are somehow affecting your health negatively? A number of studies have shown that technologies can have a large impact on the user’s mental and physical health.

In fact, some studies suggested that being overly connected can lead to problems such as narcissism, distraction, depression, and even cancer. Using technology excessively can also lead to hearing loss, vision problems, and neck strain.

How is Technology Affecting Your Health as a Woman?

Obsession With Technology

Most times, we only focus on how technology can give us an edge. However, we fail to realize that there are some negatives or consequences that come from using technology.

According to a survey done in 2017 by the American Psychological Association, 99% of adults own an electronic device, more than 86% owns a computer while over 74% own a smartphone and 55% own a tablet.

Most of these people depend on these technologies for their daily lives. In a similar survey, almost half of adults in the United States said they are unable to imagine their life without these technologies.

Social media platform such as Facebook and Instagram have a combined monthly user base of 2 billion people. Between 2005 and 2017, the percentage of adults using social media skyrocketed from just 7% to a whopping 70%.

A lot of people now depend on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp for communication and interaction with the social group. Without a doubt, it seems that our obsession with technology is only getting started.

We have so much built our lives around these technologies that any hope of cutting down on the usage seem very dim. Unfortunately, using technologies come with some consequences which may affect our lives negatively and our health both in short and in the long-term.

Top Ways Technology Affect Your Health Negatively as a Woman

Sleep Disorders

A new research has discovered that the use of smartphones can lead to sleep disorders. The research discovered that over 44% of smartphone owners keep their smartphones next to their bed when sleeping so they don’t miss a thing.

Similarly, 95% of women surveyed said they regularly use their smartphones right before bedtime. This may seem like a harmless habit.

However, a new study has found out that such habit contributes to the high rate of sleep disorder in the United States. You can limit sleep disruption by adopting light reading in bed instead of going to bed with your smartphone or device.

Depression

A study by Pitt’s School of Medicine concluded that spending extended periods of time on social media is associated with depression in young adults.

Frequently checking your social media can make you 2.7 times more likely to develop depression. Constantly “lurking” on social media make cause negative emotions.

Fortunately, you can avoid depression and other negative emotions that come from the use of social media by actively connecting with close friends or even volunteering in your community.

Obesity

According to a report by the Nielsen Company, an average adult in the United States spends an average of 10 hours and 39 minutes consuming media.

This usually leads to a long period of inactivity which has been linked to obesity. Apart from this, technology also affects the way we eat.

When focused on technology such as TV or social media, we often get distracted, leading to mindlessly eating and subsequently gaining weight.

Repetitive Strain Injury

This type of injury is caused by those small movements you make while typing on your computer or smartphone. In most cases, they can result in stiffness, discomfort or soreness in your hands, fingers, and wrists.

Strained Vision

The use of contact lenses among women is rising in recent years as a result of the increased use of technology like smartphones and tablets.

In a 2008 survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA), over forty percent of optometrists’ patients experienced eye strain due to computer vision syndrome.

Similarly, over forty-five percent reported neck and back pain associated with computer and smartphone usage.

Cancer

Scientists have often believed that frequent use of technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and microwaves can contribute to brain and breast cancer in women.

This is because these technologies emit a form of radiation known as radio-frequency energy or radio waves. Similarly, radiation produced by X-ray machines leads to cancer which makes the scientists believe that smartphones can as well contribute to cancer.

Currently, there are studies going on to better understand how a smartphone is associated with brain and breast cancer. Until then, it is recommended that you limit your use of these technologies.

Final Words

Without a doubt, we love our technologies. In fact, it seems we cannot live without our smartphones, computers, and tablets. Many of us have built our lives around these technologies. As convenient as they may make our lives, they also bring other consequences which affect our health.

It is recommended you limit how often you make use of these technologies. Consider having internet and screen-time blackouts, where you spend a few hours, a day, or even a weekend with your family or friends without all the devices.

-Shameka Renee