Don’t Let Technology Control Your Life
Is technology your puppet master?
Information and distractions
Recently, I saw a patient soon after a motor vehicle accident. He was riding his motorbike on a major highway when he was hit by someone using their cell phone while driving.
Immediately my thoughts went to other times I had seen the same thing. As I glanced over at their vehicles I could see they were watching their phones and NOT the road.
In an effort of self-preservation, I usually hightail it into a lane far away from the perpetrator. Though changing lanes is usually a temporary solution, as the space into which I have recently relocated is usually rife with the same ills.
Our preoccupation with technology
There are reportedly more than two billion smartphone users in the world. Using a cellular phone while driving is illegal in forty-eight states. In 2001 New York became the first state to ban the use of cellular phones while driving.
Today, much of our time is spent using technology.
I am also an avid user of cell phones. Most days I immediately reach for my phone as soon as my eyelids separate.
I often take no thought to first giving God praise for waking me up to another day. I sometimes do not take a moment to plan my day before I reach out and touch technology.
Much of the projects I procrastinate on are due to the distractions of social media.
Some days I arise with a post already mentally written, only to become distracted by one ding from my phone. Or, I go to my email for some small detail and remain there for some time. Worse still it leads me to another browsing site.
More valuable time lost.
We have become so dependent on technology, that we spend more one-to-one time online than with our families.
This was not always so. Being a woman of a certain age, I did not grow up with a cellular phone in one hand.
How did this necessity become such an obsession? From the smallest child to the oldest adult, technology is all the rave.
Even at the risk of being late or even missing my flight, I would return home for my forgotten cell phone! I really do not leave home without it.
A few years ago a video circulated of an older woman in New York, she was so engrossed in her cell phone she walked into an open manhole suffering severe injuries.
There are reports of walking into oncoming traffic and straight into the arms of death, all due to our fascination with social media. We all try to one-up the other with the perfect image or post for increased likes or follows.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, approximately 76,000 persons have suffered injuries as a result of cellular phones in the past 20 years. For every 100,000 cell phone users, at least two injuries are reported.
You can do the math.
The National Library of Medicine posits that cellular phone injuries of the head and neck have drastically increased over the past 20 years, with the majority of injuries among those aged 13 to 29 years.
Text neck syndrome
Text neck syndrome is a fairly new diagnosis characterized by pain and headache, soreness to the neck, arms, and upper back. The cervical spine is an amazing and efficient part of our bodies. It is the pathway for nourishment, provides support, protection and allows for 180° movement.
Widespread use of technology, texting, and computers have allowed for a steep increase in injuries of the neck and upper back.
A human head weighs approximately 12 pounds and, in its correct anatomical position, the weight is evenly distributed. But as our necks extend forward and downward, the weight on the cervical spine increases.
At a 15-degree angle, the weight is about 27 pounds, at 30 degrees it’s about 40 pounds, at 45 degrees it’s 49 pounds, and at 60 degrees it’s 60 pounds.
Imagine toting 40 to 60 pounds hanging on your neck each day!
Ways to prevent injury
Technology is here to stay, and I would say that the time spent on our devices may actually increase. Since prevention is not an option, let’s see how we can cure some of the pitfalls before they start: —
- Avoid using your device for greater than 20-minutes at any one time. Take short breaks. For every 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds and look 20 feet ahead.
- Alternate your fingers to reduce repetitive injury. Keep your wrists as relaxed and straight as possible.
- Reduce injury by placing your device on a hard surface, in this way you won’t have to ‘grip’ with the other hand for prolonged periods.
- Be mindful of your posture and keep your device at your chest, chin, or eye level, this reduces the bend and strain to your neck and upper back. If you must have your phone below eye level, try to look down using your eyes rather than your neck, (very difficult to remember and do).
- Stay hydrated.
- Blink your eyes often to keep them moisturized.
- During breaks, walk away from your phone and perform a few stretches.
Final thoughts
Without a doubt, the web, cellular phones, and technology have revolutionized our world. It is a thing of beauty. It has made it possible to communicate, share information, and trade goods and services in real-time.
Our world is better for it. But we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and each other so that we can master its use safely.
Irresponsible use of handheld devices is not only an error of the young, the older adults fall prey to its charms as well.
There is a need for consumer education regarding the dangers of the irresponsible use of technology, and injury prevention while using these devices.
Remain mindful as you go about your life, practice helpful body mechanics so that you may be able to enjoy browsing the world wide web for a long time to come.
