Checking messages, responding to notifications and spending a few minutes on social media are part of the routine of millions of people. The problem starts when the cell phone takes up too much of the day and the body remains in the same position for long periods.
A daily habit may be affecting vision, sleep, posture and muscles
Checking messages, responding to notifications and spending a few minutes on social media are part of the routine of millions of people. The problem starts when the cell phone takes up too much of the day and the body remains in the same...
Studies cited by the Your Tango website indicate that prolonged use of the device may be related to different physical effects. In addition to a sedentary lifestyle and reduced time dedicated to other activities, eyes, neck, shoulders, hands and even sleep can be affected.
- See six changes that may appear with excessive cell phone use.
- Neck pain and changes in posture Constantly tilting your head to look at the screen can strain the muscles in your neck and upper back.
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Studies cited by the Your Tango website indicate that prolonged use of the device may be related to different physical effects. In addition to a sedentary lifestyle and reduced time dedicated to other activities, eyes, neck, shoulders, hands and even sleep can be affected.
See six changes that may appear with excessive cell phone use.
1. Neck pain and changes in posture
Constantly tilting your head to look at the screen can strain the muscles in your neck and upper back.
The Mayo Clinic associates this behavior with the so-called "technology neck", a condition related to the posture adopted when using cell phones and other devices.
The longer the person remains with their head forward, the greater the tension on the muscles in the region tends to be.
2. Shoulder tension
Shoulders can also suffer from repeating an inadequate posture for many hours.
Staying bent over the device tends to increase muscle tension and can lead to pain and discomfort.
Taking short breaks, stretching your body and moving throughout the day are some measures that can help reduce overload.
3. Tiredness and eye irritation
When focusing on a screen for prolonged periods, a person may blink less frequently than usual.
This can contribute to dry, irritated, and tired eyes. The effort to maintain focus for a long time can also lead to visual discomfort and headaches.
Switching your gaze between the screen and more distant objects and taking breaks throughout the day can help reduce eye strain.
4. Impaired sleep
Taking your cell phone to bed and continuing to use the device just before bed can interfere with your rest.
In addition to prolonging the waking period, the habit can make it difficult to fall asleep and impair its quality.
One of the recommendations mentioned is to stop using your cell phone at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
5. More sedentary lifestyle and muscle problems
The problem is not always directly with the device, but with the time it keeps the person still.
Spending several hours sitting or lying down using your cell phone reduces daily movement and can contribute to loss of conditioning and increased sedentary behavior.
In the long term, remaining inactive can also have consequences for cardiovascular and muscular health.
6. Discomfort in hands and wrists
Fingers, hands, wrists and forearms can also be strained by repetitive cell phone use.
The region most affected depends on the way the device is held and the movements performed most frequently.
Keeping your wrist bent for a long time or holding the device tightly can increase tension on muscles and joints and cause pain or discomfort.
Therefore, varying the position of your hands, taking breaks and reducing prolonged periods of continuous use can help reduce the overload caused by your cell phone.