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“As work-from-home culture took over the world, digital burnout – the physical and mental fatigue caused by being on screens for long periods of time, broadly speaking – followed right behind it. And perhaps, because of technology The growing aversion to addiction isn’t surprising. After nearly a decade of the digital revolution and two years of pandemic-induced workplace evolution, exhaustion, anxiety, general loss of interest, and sleep loss are at an all-time high. Ergo. , people are rethinking their performance on screen.
When you’re drowning in a sea of endless information, turning off the phone can be a solution. This can be achieved by reducing its functionality to only using it for basic functions such as making calls, sending messages and taking pictures. You can buy a less-capable phone or, even better, try out built-in features like grayscale mode.
“Our brain’s dopamine reward system responds strongly to bold colors and hyper-realistic animation, which keeps us coming back for more,” says health care expert Dr. Abhinav Ghosh. “Moving to grayscale – a popular ‘dumbing down’ strategy that involves turning on black-and-white mode on your phone – removes hormonal shifts, disconnecting our brains from the subconscious decisions that company logos and colors make. Imposed on us,” adds Ghosh.
Other popular ‘dumbing down’ strategies include removing entertainment and accessibility apps to avoid using the phone for streaming, online games and shopping. While the first few weeks may be a challenge initially, Dr. Ghosh emphasizes that it can be a game-changer for your health in the long run. Removing unnecessary apps and disabling features that are rarely used can be other ways to deenergize your phone.
Next, choose a basic launcher that simplifies the home screen layout. Turning off notifications and using minimal wallpapers can also help reduce distractions and streamline the device’s interface.
Ways to Customize Your Smartphone
On Android, go to Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls settings to disable apps beyond calling, texting, and security. On iOS, go to the Screen Time feature and set time-blocking limits.
Bulk-delete apps and set your home screen to display only what you need. If you’re not ready to completely wipe your phone, create a folder and hide apps so you have less access to them.
Use the DND feature and sleep and in-built focus modes to avoid any calls or texts when not necessary.
How can tech stress affect your body and mind?
There are many potential risks of excess screen time, including physical and psychological problems. Digital eye strain, resulting in blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain, can be caused by prolonged use of electronic gadgets. Excessive screen time causes poor posture, which can lead to musculoskeletal problems. Psychologically, high screen time has been linked to increases in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as decreased social skills and communication abilities. In addition to interference with the body’s circadian rhythms, other risks commonly associated with blue light exposure include blurred vision, frequent headaches, obesity, and age-related macular degeneration. In children, high screen time is linked to delayed language development and impaired cognitive function. Input by eye specialist Dr. Mahendra Singh Basu.
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