Everywhere you look, someone somewhere is using a computer or a smart device. They have been integrated into our daily lives, but like everything else, too much can be harmful. This might cause digital fatigue, and you might not even notice it. Here are signs that you could be experiencing it.
1. Headaches
When you're scrolling through social media, you could spend hours viewing video after video. Your mind might not notice the time, but your body does. Too much screen time can lead to headaches, sometimes because of staring at something for too long, or because of the position of your neck as you look down on your device.
2. Eyestrain
Digital eye strain can be uncomfortable, especially if you ignore it and continue to use devices with screens. Even if you lower the brightness, staring at something for too long will have the same effect. The best thing to do is take a couple of breaks in between your scrolls through social media to give your eyes a rest.
3. Sleep Deprivation
Most health experts recommend that you do not use any gadget with a screen at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and that because it can interfere with your natural sleep patterns. Screen emit blue light, and it messes with the way our brains prepare for sleep. This could lead to sleep deprivation, which can then result in physical fatigue.
4. Physical Fatigue
Physical fatigue from sleep deprivation is just a side effect. Even if you use electronics during the day, extended hours can still lead to body aches, especially if you stay in one position throughout your time browsing through the internet or just generally using gadgets. Just like you would with eyestrain, it's best to take breaks every once in a while and stretch.
5. Memory Impairment
There's only so much information our brains can process in an amount of time. As we scroll hastily through social media and other sites, there's a possibility of having an impaired memory. Users will forget the important matters as other topics take their place such as memes, trends, and other things you might come across online.
Read Also : 8 Pros and Cons of Social Media Absence
6. Anxiety
Anxiety may be a broad side effect of digital fatigue, but it might as well be since overusing digital gadgets can certainly lead to several anxiety triggers. You might feel like you're missing out on something important when you put your phone down so you continue to use it even though you're tired. It can turn into a cycle since lack of sleep amplifies anxiety as well.
7. Losing Motivation
Other than being too tired from using your gadgets, wanting to stay connected online might make you lose sight of what you actually want to do for the day. And yes, you can get tired even if you're just sitting on the couch and staring at your phone all day.
Ideally, you should put your phone down for a couple of minutes, reassess, and determine whether there are other important tasks to do first.
