Lifestyle/Health & Wellness

As A Writer, You Are Likely To Suffer From Digital Stress

This is because of the length of time you are exposed to screen light

We know most of us writers spend quite a number of hours on the screen, by virtue of our job here on Medium and elsewhere. But do we know that unnatural levels of exposure can cause accelerated skin ageing? The experts say it is caused by digital stress. It is also known as photo ageing.

Most of us are aware of the skin damage caused by overexposure to sunlight (wrinkles and sunburn), but totally naive that our skin can suffer similar ageing due to overexposure to screen light.

Blue Light Exposure Affects Circadian Rythm

The issue with blue light exposure is that the route of exposure is through the eyes, which provides direct access to the central nervous system, which in turn innate regulatory system such as circadian rhythms that affect all aspects of human physiology.

‘’Blue light, therefore, is one of the primary toxic exposures we face in the modern age’’ Sayer JI, Founder Greenmedinfo.com

A new and highly damaging consequence of living a modern life is our constant exposure to blue light. Consider a typical smart home with all the modern amenities with LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) in TVs, smartphones, and tablets emitting wavelengths between 400 and 490 nanometers.

Perhaps the reason we have blue light filters as standard in most of our devices, ranging from anti-glare to night light on our smartphones, computer screens and other devices and flux on our web browsers.

How Screen Light Affects You.

Light from electronic devices comes in all colours, but the blues are the most dangerous. This is because blue light fools the brain into thinking it’s daytime. When that happens, the body stops releasing a sleep hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is nature’s way of helping us wind down and prepare for bed.

Studies found that any bright light exposure between 11 pm and 4 am lowers the secretion of dopamine, which makes you feel negative and irritable or uninterested in tasks.

Screen time has been shown to affect a child's cognitive development. A study called Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) showed that some kids who use screens more than seven hours a day had a thinner cortex than those who use screens less.

Exposure to blue light can cause stress, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. Studies have also shown that too much screen time may increase the risk of developing depression or anxiety-related disorders.

Then there is what the Experts call digital eyestrain, or computer vision syndrome. They said this affects about 50% of computer users. Symptoms among others include dry, irritated eyes and blurred vision.

It is possible to suffer from photo-toxicity which can damage the retina, which can lead to AMD (AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION). The amount of damage depends on the wavelength and exposure time, although a short exposure can also be harmful. Using a screen filter can reduce the damage.

‘’Researchers measured contact with outdoor and indoor artificial light and found blue light exposure doubled a man’s risk of prostate cancer and increased a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer by 50 per cent. Moffitt researcher Dr. Brian D.’’

How To Limit Your Exposure To Blue Light

Maintain a reasonable distance from the device, and keep your eyes regularly away from the screen.

It is best to minimise the damaging effects of blue light exposure by investing in blue light filters like anti-glare etc

Keep your eyes moist by using humidifiers, and eye drops to help maintain moist eyes.

Adjust the night light on your devices, to help adjust brightness as appropriate, especially if you suffer from photosensitivity.

The Takeaways

• Although it is called blue light, it can be one of seven colours in the visible light spectrum, e.g. violet, red, orange, indigo, green, blue, and yellow.
• Each of these colours has a different wavelength and therefore emits different energy.
• It is best to minimise the damaging effects of blue light exposure by investing in blue light filters like anti-glare etc

DISCLAIMER

Although great research has gone into this post to give the true and genuine substance to it, nevertheless it does not still represent professional advice in any way. Please consult appropriate professional experts about any concerns that you have. It is therefore given for readers’ interest and entertainment only. Thank you.😑

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