It seems impossible to cut ourselves off screens in a modern age where much of our work and entertainment is consumed through technology. Our phones even send us a personal report on how much time we looking at our screens. The following list offers some key benefits to reducing your screen time, as it affects our lives in both macro and micro ways.
1. Saving Money
The American Optometric Association calculated the impacts of screen time on our well-being, productivity, and health and found that Americans spend $73 billion annually due to excessive screen time.
Therefore, cutting back on screen time can save you money. Consider how much electricity your TVs and computers use, or how frequently apps and streaming services have you recharging your smartphone or tablet.
2. Better Sleep
The blue light given off by our screens harms our sleep. When it is dark, our bodies produce the sleep hormone melatonin at the end of the day. When staring at screens, our brains are tricked into being alert and productive. This messes with our ability to relax and suppresses melatonin secretion.
3. Improved Self Esteem
How we spend our time looking at the screens also plays a vital role in our mental health. Social media is toxic to our self-esteem. Too often, we compare our lives to how others seem on social media.
Even worse, younger generations are subjected to cyberbullying. This can lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety. Taking a break from social media can improve your mental health and self-esteem at any age.
4. Healthier Eyes
Staring at a screen for hours at a time can harm your eyes. It contributes to eye strain and can lead to dry eyes, nearsightedness, and fatigue. Unfortunately, many of us need to spend a lot of time on screens for our jobs. Be sure to take a break from screens often and find ways to complete tasks without them where possible.
5. Happier Lifestyle
By reducing screen time, you make space for other activities and connections. We tend to spend too much time sedentary when engrossed in our phones or computers. Spending less time sitting on your phone or watching TV allows you to get outside for a walk and connect with nature, friends, and family. These all lead to improved mental and physical health.
6. Better Posture and a Healthier Spine
“Text neck” is the pain people feel in their neck and shoulders from looking down at their phones all day. This can lead to spinal issues, headaches, and stiffness. Sitting at a desk and working on a computer all day also causes similar problems. Take breaks from your screen and look into ergonomically designed workspaces.
7. Improved Mental Health for Our Youth
Children’s brains are still developing. The stimulation of screens is unlike anything we encounter in the real world. From an early age, screens can cause unnatural surges of dopamine that lead to attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety.
8. Increased Productivity
Screens are distracting. We usually have a couple of screens open when working on our computers. Limiting yourself to one screen or task at a time will boost productivity. Try to take notes by hand instead of using your laptop or phone when in meetings and opt for screen-free work when possible.
9. More Connections
When we are out with friends or on a date, it isn’t polite to be on your phone. And yet it happens. We are hard-wired to click on apps and start scrolling subconsciously. Remember to keep your phone tucked away when you are with others, and don’t be afraid to ask them to do the same, as these connections are valuable to our mental health.
10. Boosted Creativity
When we are online, playing on our phones, or watching TV, we are being fed information and stimulation. Ads are targeted to your likes and, in some ways, do the thinking for you. By disconnecting from technology, we think for ourselves and are more creative.
11. More Intimacy
Screen time can lead to a less fulfilling intimate life. Many of us are guilty of bringing our phones into the bedroom instead of connecting with our partners. There is even a new term for using your phone to ignore your partner: “phubbing.” Low self-esteem caused by social may lead women to feel less desirable.
12. Healthier Lifestyle
Research shows a correlation between too much screen time and a high risk of obesity. Sitting on your phone or in front of a computer leads to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Additionally, when sitting in front of the TV, we often snack and are unaware of our food consumption. When we pay attention to what we eat and are active, we tend to be more satisfied and eat slower.
13. More Free Time
The average person spends approximately seven hours a day on screens. Many of these hours are necessary for work, but some are still spent mindlessly scrolling or sitting in front of the TV. Cutting screen time down by even an hour is more time that could be spent with family, reading a book, or on a walk.
14. Better Grades
Although many college students need computers for research and assignments, too much screen time can still lead to lower grades and less productivity if not used responsibly.
Similarly, having the TV on while you are working or having social media apps on your phone can be distracting. Reducing screen time and reading books or printed articles may increase your productivity and academic scores.
15. Better Communication
More screen time may lead to lower communication skills, especially in children. We lose that connection by not having to communicate with people face-to-face. Additionally, when writing or texting, there are helpful tools that correct spelling and even grammar. We start to dull that skill without having to use our brains to ensure we are spelling and communicating efficiently.
Improve All Aspects of Your Life by Reducing Screen Time
These 15 reasons will hopefully motivate you to reduce your screen time. Start by setting realistic boundaries: no phones at the dinner table, no screens before bed, and always opt for real-world connections. Use this list as a reminder that you can be happier and benefit from reduced screen time moving forward.