Technology has changed the way that we interact with one another and can have a huge impact on our daily activities. People spend more time in front of their screens and have less time to exercise. This can lead to physical inactivity, especially among the younger generation. To stay physically active, it is important to turn off the devices and go outside in the open air.
Although it is true that technology has changed our lives. But at the same time, we are getting a lot of benefits from technological advancements. There are many big tech companies like Apple, Meta, Alphabet etc. With many other advantages, technology also helps the government to handle emergencies and severe conditions.
How Technology has Affected People’s Activity Levels
It has become more common for people to spend a lot of time on technology, which has resulted in a reduction in activity levels. Researchers have linked excessive screen time with heart disease, hypertension, and obesity, and recommend that people increase their levels of physical activity. In addition, excessive screen time can lead to sleep deprivation and depression.
Despite this negative impact, technology can promote physical activity. Some studies have found that people who used pedometer-based walking programs experienced a significant decrease in body mass index, weight, and systolic blood pressure. Also, technology can be used in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning. By creating tech-enabled group discussions, students can learn by doing, rather than simply memorizing a lecture.
The researchers found that reward-based incentives can increase physical activity levels. For example, the Apple Watch introduced through a loss-framed incentive structure resulted in a 34 percent increase in activity levels (or 4.8 more active days per month). These results were consistent across countries and demographics. Even people with a high body mass index (BMI) doubled their activity levels after using the Apple Watch.
Are People so Inactive due to Technology?
The increased use of technology has affected the way young adults spend their time. They tend to be less active, and it is no surprise that younger people are less likely to exercise. Many studies have shown that children, teens, and adults use massive amounts of media, and a lack of physical activity is associated with increased obesity and decreased physical fitness.
As a result, it is important to use technology to improve people’s physical activity levels. Technology can also be used to improve people’s mental health. Virtual reality technology offers novel ways to gamify physical activity and can have a positive impact on our health. The goal is to increase people’s enjoyment of the physical activity, which can ultimately result in a greater number of people engaging in physical activity.
Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide and increasing research has linked the use of digital technology to a lack of physical activity. Children and adolescents are spending long hours in front of screens, and a recent Australian study found a connection between screen time and obesity among children.
Cell Phones are Ruining our Quality of life
The use of cell phones has impacted many aspects of our life. In our romantic relationships, we expect to be able to respond to text messages immediately. However, cell phones have deteriorated relationships by preventing us from spending time with others face-to-face.
While cell phone use is a normal part of our lives, it’s not normal for us to spend all our time with them. We often ignore our family to attend to our phones, which causes many problems and ruins relationships. If we’re unable to talk to our spouse because we’re constantly checking our phones, we’re less likely to be present and enjoy our relationship.
A recent survey found that 89 percent of people surveyed admitted to whipping out their phones at a social function, while a mere eleven percent admitted to lying about using their phones. This is a big problem because effective communication is essential for our mental health. Further, the blue light from cell phones disturbs the sleep cycle and interferes with the intimacy of a romantic relationship.
Research shows that 72% of Americans own a cell phone. Smartphones are addictive, causing people to lose interest in their favorite activities and experience anxiety and irritability when they are not using their phones. This is a significant problem, and it’s a growing problem across the globe.
Is Technology Ruining our Active Lifestyles
The video below from Nature Valley asks grandparents what their favorite childhood memories are. Many cite running outside and picking blackberries as highlights. Nowadays youth is raised with a culture of screen addiction. To help prevent future generations from experiencing the same type of decline in active living, we must take steps to ensure that children are exposed to age-appropriate content and thought-provoking apps.
Bringing technology into the bedroom can have a detrimental effect on our sleeping habits. While it may be convenient to check email and respond to calls while lying in bed, it can also interfere with REM sleep. The constant stimulation of our brain during the night can prevent us from getting a good night’s rest, keeping us awake for hours at a time.
How Has Technology Affected Our Sleeping Habits
There are various pieces of research that show that technology can impact our sleep. Some of these studies show that technology use can make us less sleepy and can decrease the ability to recognize when we’re sleepy. For instance, teenagers who use technology during the evening are likely to have a later bedtime than those who use technology during the day.
Technology is great for education, communication, and entertainment, but it can negatively affect our sleeping habits. Screen-based devices such as smartphones, televisions, and tablets emit blue light, which interferes with sleep. This can cut into our sleep and disrupt our circadian rhythms. As a result, it’s not surprising that many people experience disturbed sleep.
The Mayo Clinic recommends dimming technology before bedtime to reduce blue light and increase the production of natural melatonin. Another study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that people who read e-books before going to bed had a harder time falling asleep than those who did not read e-books. Their melatonin levels were also delayed by 90 minutes. As a result, these individuals were more likely to feel anxious than those who did not read e-book-based materials before bed.
A recent study found a strong relationship between technology use and the sleep children get. Children who use a device at bedtime were found to be less likely to get quality sleep, and their average BMI was higher than those who did not. These results are encouraging clinicians to promote good sleep habits in their patients.