Technology is spreading everywhere, and currently, if we look at our daily life, there are so many parts of our routine that involve a great use of technology. Whether it is sending someone a message or looking up a tutorial online, we are so absorbed in the internet. Even more so than we can imagine.
While there are so many perks and benefits of the internet, there are some downgrades as well. Here we have discussed the main reasons that lead to the disadvantages of internet usage. It can not only affect our physical well-being, but it can also have an impact on our mental well-being. Let’s talk about how it can have an impact on our daily life matters and what we can do to address them properly,
How can digital fatigue impact you?
Currently, people of all ages are impacted by the effects of digital fatigue. Now, what exactly is digital fatigue? When your digital usage exceeds the normal time. Be it the laptop, mobile, tv, or any screen you are using, and it will eventually leave you highly exhausted. You will feel tired and will not have the energy to do something productive or even socialize with other people. Such a state is known as digital fatigue.
Related Read: How Technology-Based Learning Is Beneficial For The Educational Field?
A lot of students nowadays are so used to using technology for almost everything. From studying to using technology for entertainment, students are so reliant on technology. This keeps them busy and distracted even during the times that require their attention. This is definitely alarming because while we can have many benefits from the usage of technology, there are so many potential risks associated as well, especially if the user is not regulated properly.
Impact on Students
When you are studying, you really need your brain to be active so that whatever you are reading or studying, you are also able to understand it well. Otherwise, there is no use in doing so. In this way, even if you are trying very hard to concentrate on your academics, but your brain is tired and exhausted, you will not be able to concentrate and give your best. Let’s talk in detail about the adverse effects that students can experience if they are facing digital fatigue:
1. Constantly feeling worn out
When you are experiencing digital fatigue, you will always feel work on, even at times when you are not in front of the screen. Being worn out usually comes to everyone differently. Some people might feel sleepy, while some would feel physically inactive. In any case, being worn out will only impact your mental and physical health in a bad way.
2. Irritated Eyes
One of the most impacted parts of your body from digital fatigue is your eyes. Constantly looking at the screen can leave your eyes in a condition of tiredness, soreness, and irritation. It will neither allow you to stay up properly nor be asleep rightly. The screen light really takes a toll on your eyes. If this goes on for too long, you will even experience redness and water in your eyes.
3. Mild to Intense Migraine
When you use the digital screen for a long time period, you feel like your head is getting a little heavy, right? Well, if this goes on for too long, you will constantly experience headaches and migraines. Migraine intensity can range from mild to incense, but it will most likely be recurring. You will suddenly start feeling migraine, and getting rid of them will require a lot of peace and rest.
4. Body Pain and Sore Muscles
Just like your mental health will be disturbed as a result of digital fatigue, it will similarly pose a threat to your physical health. You will feel like your shoulder muscles, neck, and limbs are constantly sore or tired. It really does affect your muscles and other parts of the body.
5. Light Sensitivity
With your eyes being affected and your brain getting impacted as well, exceeding screen time can lead to light sensitivity. Walking out in the sun or sitting in a well-lit area will cause you to have a headache. Normally our eyes do not negatively respond to the natural light outside, but when you are affected by digital fatigue, you become sensitive to the amount of light entering your eyes.
6. Cranky and Irritable Behavior
Eventually, it will start to affect your behavior and attitude. You will always be found to be in a cranky and a bad mood which will start to affect your daily life interactions as well. For no reason at all, you will feel in a bad mood and won’t feel like socializing with anyone.
How to Overcome Digital Fatigue
If you are also a victim of the overuse of digital screens and experiencing the adverse effects of digital fatigue, and looking for a way to overcome this situation, then keep on reading; because we have the best solutions for you to tackle this situation in the best way possible.
1. A To-Do List
‘Get out your pen and a paper because it’s time to make a to-do list of all the things you are supposed to be doing throughout the day. You need to be well aware of everything that needs to be done so that you can minimize digital distractions as much as possible. List down the things even if you want to spend some time with friends and family. You can add this to your list as well so that you don’t forget about it while you are indulging in your screen time.
2. Use Yellow Light
Our screen usually has a blue-toned light that is a bit too much internet for our eyes to handle. Try to use the yellow light feature whenever possible. The yellow light actually allows you to have a bit safer digital experience because it protects your eyes from the harmful effect of the light coming from the screen.\
3. Sit Right and Use Right
Whenever you are in front of the screen, your posture can matter a lot. In such a way, the wrong posture can even further deteriorate your physical well-being. If you want to avoid this, make sure that you sit right and put the screen at the right distance from you. While using a laptop or computer, make sure to put the screen in such a position that the screen is right in front of you and your back is straight up.
4. Break From Screen Time
Just like you get up and take a break during your study sessions, you need a break from the screen time as well. Make intervals whether you are studying or watching a movie, or reading a book online; set up a time after which you will take a break for a particular time. For instance, you can set 15 minutes to break after every 30-45 minutes. Use this time to do something that does not involves you looking at the screen. You can go for a walk, water the plants, or sit with friends or family for a cup of coffee.
5. Get a Snack
While you are busy doing things on your screen, your brain and body will require some more energy. To provide this, give your body the energy it needs through a healthy snack. Do not get inclined toward unhealthy snacking; instead, make sure to select healthy snacks for this, like fruits, granola bars, chocolate, and smoothies. Try avoiding junk food in this case. In this way, your brain will not shut down due to a lack of energy.
6. Make Notes on Paper
When you are studying on a digital screen, try to make notes on paper too. This will allow you to study from that as well, giving you a break from constantly looking at the screen. Not only will it keep your mind active, but it will also give you time for screen breaks except for the study break. You can keep on studying but with better concentration by switching the modes of studying.
7. Regulation Applications
Now there are several applications that allow you to regulate your screen time for better physical and mental well-being. Install these applications on your devices so that they would allow you to be aware of your screen usage. It will let you know if your usage is exceeding. You will have a detailed review of your screen usage so that you can assess and take action.
8. Set Your Strict Screen Time
Make sure you keep a scheduled screen time so that you can turn it off when you know it is exceeding for you. In this way, you can rightly regulate the time you need to stay in front of a screen and not give it more time than is required. Do not just keep it a casual way. Make the schedule strict and know that you have to follow the schedule in any case. If you are not strict on this, you will keep on giving yourself more screen time by saying just five more minutes, and just like that, an hour will fly by.
9. Uninstall Apps
Usually, there are particular apps that keep us distracted. For some people, it’s a game. For some, it could be a social media application, and just like that, people have different apps they get distracted with. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then make sure to uninstall such situation, then make sure to uninstall these apps for a particular time period. Be it a week or two, or however it suits you, just uninstall the app so that you can get rid of the additive usage that is keeping you on the screen.
10. Digital Detox
Digital detox refers to a time period that a person sets in which they do not use any screen. When you decide to do a digital detox, you refrain from using any kind of digital device. This is a very great opportunity for those who think their digital device usage is exceeding normal. So if you are also one of those people who are experiencing digital fatigue, we think it's time for you to do some digital detox because some time off the screen can really help you out!
How it Can Benefit You
The digital detox can prove to be highly beneficial for you. Let’s talk about the benefits you can experience once you start your journey toward digital detox.
1. Better Concentration
When you are not relying so much on your digital device usage, and you get easily distracted by checking your device on and off, you can’t really concentrate. However, once you start digital detox, you can easily put your focus on your studies, and you can concentrate better without any distractions.
2. Less Stress
Excess digital device usage can prove to be stressful, and it can bring you to a state of anxiety. With digital detox energy, you do not have to constantly live in the digital world, and you can connect with your real life in a better way that leads to less stress and anxiety in your life.
3. More Social Interactions
Digital devices usually keep you tied up to them, and you never get time to experience real interaction with the people around you. While you switch off your digital devices, you get more time to spend time with people and experience better social interactions than you can not do when you are always on your phone or other digital devices.
4. Time Management
You will be able to manage your time more efficiently because this will allow you to have free digital distractions, and you can use this time to do the things that you would have missed if you were using a digital device. You can set up a study session, a hobby that you like, spend time with friends and family, and so much more. This will allow you to manage your time better.
In Conclusion
Digital fatigue can be experienced by anyone, but students get the most affected by this. This can make them perform low in their academics since they get easily distracted and occupied by digital usage. If you feel like you are also a victim of digital fatigue, then just know that we are here to help you out with this. Just follow the above-mentioned tips and make use of the one that seems most useful in your case.
If you are still unable to focus straight and study effectively on your own, you can hire an online or private tutor who can help you to achieve your goals better.
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