Research indicates that adults spend more than three hours a day on their cell phones; the consequences on the body are not slow to manifest themselves
“Everything in the palm of your hand”. Many Brazilians have increased their cell phone usage time during the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing has led to new forms of relationship and consumption.
A public health survey of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Minas Gerais and published in the magazine American Journal of Health Promotion indicated that leisure time spent on mobile phones, computers or tablets increased from 1.7 hours to 2.2 hours per day. The same research shows that adults spend at least three hours a day on their cell phones, and this excessive time can lead to problems that are reflected throughout the body.
The psychologist at Cajuru University Hospital, Aline Oliveirapoints out that the convenience of having “everything in the palm of your hand” can be detrimental, especially for younger audiences, who see these quick responses as a sort of trigger, since they tend to expect real-world responses they will be as immediate as digital.
“We must bear in mind that this is not how the real world works, the answers are not always immediate, much less come from how we imagine them. For this reason, social interactions, conviviality, are fundamental”.
The neurologist of the Marcelino Champagnat hospital, Patrícia Coral, adds that this expectation and prolonged contact with the mobile phone can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.
“In addition to the problems related to sleep, due to the delay in melatonin production caused by the brightness of the device, what worries us are social networks which can cause greater problems, since the impression we have is that the life of others is always better one of ours. wow, because people only publish what is good, they are parties, prizes”, explains.
“Moderation should be the keyword at this point. There are even apps with games that help exercise the brain and can be useful. Technology is there to help us and we have to make the best of it”, complement the neurologist.
Impact of cell phone on posture
The hours spent in front of the screen could, in the not too distant future, also permanently alter our posture. The orthopedic spine specialist of the Marcelino Champagnat hospital, Antonio Kriegerexplains that the position of the neck when we have the smartphone in hand or even on the notebook can cause chronic pain.
“An average head weighs 6kg when it is in a normal position and aligned with the spine. But, when the head is tilted 15 degrees, this weight doubles and, depending on the person’s posture, can overload 30kg. Work to strengthen this musculature , in the medium and long term, will develop osteoarthritis of the spine or calcification”, to assert.
According to the expert, the advice to avoid these problems is to keep the screens on the horizon, adjust the body posture while using these devices and practice regular physical activity. “Physical exercise is our greatest ally. In this way we manage to maintain the health of the body and the spine, because with it we strengthen the muscles and lengthen ourselves and this helps prevent pain and premature wear”Krieger points out.
Problems that go beyond
And this overuse can interfere with other parts of the body. The proctologist of the Marcelino Champagnat Hospital, Paolo Kozewarns of the risks for those who can only go to the bathroom with their mobile phone.
“The use of mobile phones, tablets or even newspapers makes people sit in the evacuation position longer and this is harmful. Sitting on the toilet for a long time can cause diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures and muscle spasms”warns Kotze.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
