Nobody is free from digital technology which is now a significant aspect and is on the rise in our everyday existence. It’s a natural progression to help us at work and to stay in touch and on top of entertainment, shopping, healthcare, media…you name it, we need it. According to studies, American adults use their phones, laptops, tablets, TVs, and gaming consoles for long hours in a day on average.
Technology is not the problem. Regrettably, there are situations where it made life more challenging. Maybe after viewing your social media feeds, you may feel worried or in a foul mood. This is related to information overload and is a related issue to digital overload.
What is digital overload?
You may experience digital overload when you spend too much time consuming material on displays. The complicated process of processing this information from the internet, watching TV, or playing video games, is an experience of digital overload. You become agitated, nervous, tired, or even sad as a result of it.
Excessive usage of electronic devices without taking frequent breaks, may develop digital burnout from overconsumption of information. The quantity of information may result in unfavorable behaviors. Your mind needs a break from all that is available from the endless sources from the internet.
Co-existing with technology and media means we multitask all the time. We use many devices at once like a game, potentially overloading the brain. For instance, exploring social media while binge-watching the newest Netflix series is no longer a challenge. However, studies reveal that media multitaskers have poor concentration when doing proper tasks. It doesn’t help you at all.
What level of digital use is excessive?
There is no need to check the mobile phones 47 times a day! Research cannot determine the exact limit of our online time yet. For kids under the age of 18, the advice is no more than two hours of screen use every day, but children check their devices 82 times a day! It’s probably healthy to restrict the amount of time spent on electronics even for grownups to avoid excessive internet usage.
What signs indicate excessive use of digital media?
Generally, if you over use your devices excessively, there will be a shift and increase in your stress level. There is a lot of break in concentration. You become more agitated and find it difficult to unwind making you worn out. Some signs may be presented as body aches and headaches.
For some people, excessive screen time or sensory overload can also result in overstimulation. This makes it harder to focus and process all that information at that instant.
People on excessive use of gadgets have frequent experiences of anxiety and depression symptoms. They appear with a sense of helplessness, overly concerned, frequent changes in mood, withdrawn.
Excessive usage of devices was associated with higher rates of depression and suicide in a study of teenagers. The urge to text, a final search and the need for an immediate reply creates a sense of helplessness and the feeling of being ignored. The study did not find a link between screen time and suicide or depression. However, it implied that kids who spend a lot of time on screens are more likely to be moody, difficult to communicate with and generally dissatisfied and with poor health.
Physical and health problems with technology reduces quality sleep. The urge to check the devices one last time right before going to bed, makes it hard to shut your brain off so you lose sleep.
Screen brightness cause visual problems. Staring at the screens too much overwork our eyes. This causes problems such as eye strain, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Some individuals say that glasses designed to block out blue light significantly improved sleeping patterns.
You are at a greater risk of chronic health problems if you do not get enough physical activities. When device use leads to a lack of physical activity, it can also put you at greater risk for chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, poor cardiovascular health and obesity.
You will miss out on physical activities that take place within the community, friends and family. This distracts you from fulfilling your obligations at home and at work too. Your emotional and physical health will suffer in the long run. People have been known to struggle with digital addiction in severe cases which interferes with social life, relationships, education and work.
What is information overload?
Sorting through an overwhelming amount of information is it. It’s more information than you can process! It’s difficult to stop scrolling, but your brain can no longer process what you’re reading.
Like digital overload, information overload can also lead to negative consequences. You develop anxiety, fear, irritability. You are often disgusted with oneself, feeling of failure and then regret.
Now you’ll find difficulty making effective decisions, prone to driving societal discord and online violence.
How to better manage the use of informational and digital technology? The good news – there are simple things and habits to practice. They protect you from everything ‘overload’ allowing you to enjoy all your gadgets and devices.
Practice down time. Establish limits on your use. Set an alarm to put your device down after 30 minutes. Use a single device only at one time. Turn off the others, put aside for their turn.
Consider turning off unnecessary notifications, even from social media. Plan and only check at designated times of the day. Create gadget free areas at home.
Create off line physical activities. Take walks, play games in the community or try new things or a new hobby to maintain your physical and mental well-being. These tech-free activities will greatly enhance your health security and lower all your risk for digital overload. The body will be at optimum health and you’ll be thankful for the future !