How Too Much Technology Can Negatively Effect Our Health

When you look around, you will see at least one, if not multiple technological devices. We are surrounded by technology all day, every day. Have you ever asked yourself the question, I wonder if this technology is affecting my health in any way? Technology has shaped today's society positively and negatively. Creating advanced tools has improved so many areas of our lives. If we did not have some of these devices, we would not have the ability to access information or share information. With simplicity comes comfort; as you may know, too much of anything is not good. There are a lot of side effects and defects we did not consider when developing these devices. In today's article, I will share with you how the technology we use can cause chronic illness and give you tactics to have a healthy relationship with them.

Walking Around With Radiation

Technology has become a massive part of our lives, from television, smartphones, videogames, wearable devices, home appliances, and so much more. You might be wondering why that is a bad thing. All technology produces electromagnetic waves, which are a form of radiation. This radiation is not like x-rays or nuclear radiation, but the amount we consume daily concerns our long-term health. In recent studies, they have found that having our cell phones next to our ears can cause neurological damage and affect our eardrums. Having your laptop over your private parts can diminish your testosterone if you are a man. These are just two examples of many that appeared out of many in recent years. What are these electromagnetic fields, and how have they become so bad for our health?

What is EMF?

Electromagnetic Fields are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation. These fields are associated with electric power and various natural and fabricated lighting forms. Their frequency usually categorizes them:

● Non-ionizing- Low-level radiation, which is generally perceived as harmless.

● Ionizing: This is high-level radiation, which has the potential for cellular and DNA damage.

You can find these electromagnetic fields everywhere; in your kitchen, office, bedroom, bathroom, and outside. What is so bad about these magnetic fields? These EMFs can cause cellular damage, cognitive decline, ATP damage, and more. The main reason for this is that the amount of radiation produced from these devices creates carcinogens. For example, a standard amount of EMF radiation considered safe is 1.6 watts per kilogram. An iPhone has 3.8 watts per kilogram; another example is our air pods. Air pods produce ten times that of your iPhone. If you want to read an entire article on this, Click the link HERE.

How is Technology Destroying Our Children's Brains?

Our next generation relies on the development of our youth. As you have noticed in the last ten years, the amount of children consumed by technology is astonishing. As I have stated before, technology has its advantages. Still, violent video games, social media platforms, websites, and endless amounts of information, can shape how our children think. Let alone the radiation from these devices. It has been proven that behavioral issues and cognitive development can be negatively affected by too much EMF radiation. A study by the National Institute of Health found that rats that were exposed to low levels of EMFs experienced the death of neurons, leading to a shorter memory. Here is an example of the harmful use of technology for our children, they are staring at a screen playing a violent or intense video game late into the night, consuming unhealthy snacks, and stressed about their performance in the game. The amount of inflammation in that one sentence is enough to start a biological war in their body. EMF contributes to the development of mental health issues in our kids today. The lack of sleep, sunlight, nutrition, and movement shapes the way they will develop further by setting realistic boundaries and creating more engaging ways for our children to spend their time; the less of an effect these forms of technology will have on them. This article is not to scare anyone, video games, social media, movies, and more all have their time and place, but the misuse of these things can lead to a destructive path.

How Does Too Much Blue Light Negatively affect our performance?

Talking about EMF radiation and technology exposure, we can't leave out an important aspect that can harm your health. Blue light from these technological devices is one of the leading causes of behavioral and sleep habits today. When we stare at a screen, we absorb blue light, the LED screen of any technological device. These screens do the most damage to our brain in the early morning and late at night. They damage our brains because these screens immolate sunlight, stimulating our nervous system to stay awake. Stimulating too late at night or too early in the morning can disrupt our sleeping patterns. Screen time has also been associated with harmful eating habits. Our mind and body will trick themselves into thinking that it is hungry when the body desires to move or drink a glass of water. Our mind will replace movement with hunger because when our nervous system is stimulated, it sends signals to the body that it wants to move, but in reality, we mistake it for hunger. Our behavior is a leading cause of obesity today. With social media being most people's distraction, instant gratification becomes a problem. Watching a new video every second and consuming endless amounts of content from every platform is disrupting the ability to focus in a patient manner. It harms our ability to perform at work, school, and home. Because instead of doing the dishes, we would scroll on Tik Tok. These changes have become a massive problem for children in school and employees at work; instead of doing something fun and creative in their downtime, they are just scrolling. When this habit creates symptoms of overwhelm, overstimulation, anxiety, irritability, headaches, and concentration issues.

Ways to Limit Exposure and Use Technology in a Positive Way

Create boundaries with technology

Creating boundaries with anything can be challenging, but they are essential for protecting yourself from too much exposure. A healthy edge to set could be limiting the amount of social media or television time you have to just 1 hour a day. Doing this frees you up more time to do things that can benefit your mind, body, and spirit. Such as starting that new book you have wanted to read, exercising, spending quality time with your loved ones, meditating, and going for a walk in nature. There is so much opportunity to do something that is not as stimulating and can be so healing.

Spend More Time Doing Things Without Technology

There are so many ways for us to distract ourselves nowadays. Take some time each day to disconnect from distractions, spend time with loved ones, get out in nature, and explore this beautiful earth. By disconnecting from devices, we can listen to ourselves; that is where we learn the most.

Shut it down 2 hours before bed

In a previous article, I have spoken about this; click here to learn more. However, shutting down all of your technological devices 2 hours before bed gives your brain time to set into a state of melatonin and set yourself up for relaxation. Sleep is our primary recovery time, where all our bodily functions reset, cells rejuvenate, muscles recover, brain cells grow, and so much more. This will help you get a better night's sleep ad deeper sleep.

Invest in preventative measures

With everyone having different lifestyles and responsibilities, these changes can be drastic and unrealistic. So in recent years, companies have developed fantastic preventive tools to shield you from too much exposure to blue light and EMF radiation. Blue light blocking glasses, an EMF filter, and EMF necklaces are some of the best products. Investing in products such as these can be beneficial in preventing you from feeling the harmful effects of radiation. Some adverse effects are overstimulation, anxiety, sleep issues, digestive issues, poor focus, and more.

1. Blue Light blocking glasses

2. EMF shield

3. EMF blanket

4. EMF Necklaces

Track your screen time

By tracking your screen time, you can see how much time you spend on your phone. Tracking screen time can help bring awareness to how you can use your phone more mindfully. You can also set time limits on apps to where they shut off after a specific time of the day to help hold you accountable. It can be helpful to arrange your apps in a way that makes it harder for you to get to them.

Technology has become a massive part of our lives and will only become more extensive. Taking control of it now is essential for your long-term health. Implementing some of the strategies I've listed above can help you get started.