Are we heading towards an era of digital maladies? How Digital technology is affecting human wellness?

Human beings have never been so intensely connected with technology as with the recent spurt in digital technology, the wave that has swept across the length and breadth of the globe. This digital tsunami has drastically changed the landscape of human interaction in such a manner that we are becoming used to quick responses and instant gratification. Nobody is willing to wait. In this frantic pursuit, we are losing patience and becoming less tolerant.

"Continuous exposure to communicable smartphones and digital devices reprograms our brains. Each message, ping and alert from smartphones act like dopamine shots creating a series of excitement that makes us eager for the next one. Before things go out of hand, it is high time we look around and take note of things seriously."

There is no denying of the fact that digital technology has made our lives convenient. On the other hand, it is also impacting seriously on our overall wellness as pronounced by globally renowned scientists and psychologists. Digitization is creating a sort of opium effect. Though we are relishing the gratification today, slowly and slowly it is eroding our social, mental and physical wellness.

Things have worsened with social media platforms leading the pack. Stealthily, this is deteriorating our relationships and interpersonal skills not to mention of other life threatening risks that we tend to ignore.

Let us have a serious look at the overall scenario as posted by researches and surveys:

• In 2016, the US citizens remained engaged with their smartphones 87 hours per month on an average compared to 66 hours by the UK people and 52 hours by people of Spain.
• As per Deloitte’s Global Mobile Consumer Survey, more than 40% of mobile phone users check their phones within 5 minutes of waking up from sleep.
• At the end of the day, more than 30% of mobile phone users check their phones 5 minutes before going to bed.
• More than 50% of the users check their phones in the middle of the night!
• By 2019, the number of email users will go up to 2.9 billion.
• In 2015, the number of emails shot was 205 billion per day. This is forecasted to touch 246 billion by 2019. [https://www.globalwellnessinstitute.org]

As per a new study released by Forbes Magazine, 100 million of people in the US check their mobile phone messages in the middle of night waking up from sleep [https://www.wsls.com]

Remaining plugged with the digital platform round-the-clock has become so noisy and disturbing that in the Global Wellness Summit 2016, it was identified that valuing silence would be an important wellness trend in 2017. This not only implies lessening of external sound and noises but also cutting off the continuous pinging of our digital devices that often results in unhealthy engagement of our brains.

Prolonged virtual connection resulting in disconnection from real lives:

Following are the common scenes that we see around us today:

·     Couples and families when out for a dinner or vacation remain glued to their smartphones. Even the kids are not left out.

·     Kids and toddlers remaining glued to digital games for hours. Many parents take pride in their kids being tech savvy at such a tender age.

·     People, commuters, drivers are either having their glares fixed on their smartphone screens or are busy talking over phones while walking down or crossing the busy streets which is dangerous.

·     Most people waiting in queues have their eyes fixed on their phones. They don’t feel like conversing with the next fellow for time pass.

·     Even on weekends and beyond working hours, people keep on checking digital messages on their mobile devices.

This digital technology attachment gives us a false self pride of remaining updated and on the toes always but that does not augur well for our mental and physical health. Getting bombarded by digital messages from the break of the day till midnight is a great stress builder that disrupts the harmony of life. We are forced into continuous distractions that hamper our natural productivity.

Remaining plugged with the digital platform round-the-clock has become so noisy and disturbing that in the Global Wellness Summit 2016, it was identified that valuing silence would be an important wellness trend in 2017. This not only implies lessening of external sound and noises but also cutting off the continuous pinging of our digital devices that often results in unhealthy engagement of our brains.

Young adults - The most affected group:

Curiosity, adventurousness, peer pressure and competition dominate the young minds. Consequently, young adults are the most extensive users of digital technology.

·     A study released by a new University of Michigan relates the growing level of narcissism among young adults to overuse of social media platforms. [https://ns.umich.edu]

·     Constant use of social media platforms gives rise to teenage depression and anxiety reveals a study conducted on 467 teenagers by the British Psychological Study in Manchester, 2015.  [https://www.futuretimeline.net]

·     A study from the University of Illinois based on 300 university students declared overuse of mobile technology is linked with depression and anxiety among college goers. [https://news.illinois.edu]

·     Developing brains of the younger generation are being seriously impacted due to the overuse of digital devices, an alarming result published by a study in Korea where over 67% people remain digitally connected more than anywhere in the world spending more than 7 hours a day on an average. [https://www.alzheimers.net]

Are we heading towards an era of digital maladies?

The German neuroscientist, Manfred Spitzer coined the term ‘Digital Dementia’ while explaining the breakdown of the brain’s cognitive abilities due to the overuse of digital technology. Relying heavily on digital technology results in short term memory dysfunction.

Byun Gi-won, a notable Korean doctor opines that overuse of smartphones, ipads etc. retards the balanced development of the brain.

As per the behavioral scientist and UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) Chancellor Gene Block, digital technology explosion is inching towards causing harm to human health. He stressed that responsible usage of smart screens can yield tangible benefits but the problem starts with overdoing things. He pointed out the following facts: [https://newsroom.ucla.edu]

·     Overuse of digital technology reduces the amount of sleep substantially. Bright light emitted from the communicable mobile devices (CMD) reduces the level of sleep inducing hormone melatonin. This also increases the level of ghrelin that makes you hungry forcing you to eat more.

·     In 2012, the American Medical Council also expressed the same view regarding sleep disturbances caused by the exposure of light emission by the digital gadgets. [https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com]

Another distinguished professor of Psychology and Director of UCLA Children’s Digital Media Center was more concerned with the damaging effects of digital technology on childhood.

·     A study conducted by the Center observed, the ability to judge other’s emotions grew significantly among the sixth graders within five days when they were made to undergo face-to-face interactions during a camping session instead of communicating through digital platforms.

·     In another study with the college students, it was found that they felt more bonded towards their friends and peers through face-to-face interactions even they continued with their newly grown habit of texting through digital devices.

The First Center for Digital Wellness that has set up its first digital awareness camp in Liberty University to fight the digital technology addiction has come up with the following observations:[https://www.wsls.com]

·     The obsession of being connected for 24X7 hours has a serious impact on the physical and emotional health of the users. This obsession may lead to obesity and chronic neck and back pain due to the following:

a) Most often you adopt the wrong sitting posture.

b) You seldom leave your desk/chair and walk about.

c) You neglect your timings for work and workouts.

·     Remaining attached to social media for hours often invites depression. You fall prey to worries and anxieties through social media postings by comparing, contrasting and competing yourself with others. You lose your normal feel of satisfaction or wellbeing.

·     Even the continuous flow of messages, alerts and notifications from digital posts and messages may induce fear and anxiety contributing to the development of heart disease.

Digital Detox: The need of the hour

Taking into account all probable ill effects of digital technology overuse on human wellness, it is imperative we opt for Digital fasting or Digital Detox. Scientists are stressing on responsible use of digital technology by setting a limit point. Dwelling in the 21st century, it is not possible to shun digital invasion but a judicious utilization is possible considering the future wellness aspect, which is more important in our life than anything else.

Fortunately, digital addiction can be reversed. Practicing few simple steps would enable us enjoy the advantages of modern technology without affecting our wellness. Here are few personal recommendations which I try to follow.

Selecting few hours of the day to remain totally unplugged. It may be early morning or the late evening hours. You can opt for a couple of days of digital fasting especially on weekends.

• Not responding to digital messages beyond a stipulated time even it is related to your work or profession.
• Avoiding emotional investments on social media platforms. Do not expect responses or do not respond to each and every post.

• Spend unplugged time with your family and friends. as one of my friend said "Chilling out with friends and enjoying moments to its best is the greatest wellness therapy you would ever need."
• Using your brain more than relying on artificial memory of the digital devices. This will improve your memory power lessening the chances of old age dementia.
• Leaving lesser digital footprints through social media posts.
• Keep mobile and tablets away from your side table. Not carrying communicable mobile devices in your bedroom could be best.
• Do engage yourself in offline socialization than only online because social wellness contributes heavily to your overall wellness.
• Teenagers should concentrate in pursuing hobbies, outdoor sports and social activities to grow their self esteem and mental wellness.
• Limit your office work. Seriously, you have to take a note of this one. In my office I send notification to staff working overtime or on weekends. Live and let live.
• Take out time from your schedule to travel more, ensure you are not checking messages or texts during few days of travel or weekend or on vacation. Communication can be maintained only among family members or close friends. Below is my family vacation video, may be this will inspire you to take more vacations.

It would be wrong to consider digital technology a bane in our modern day lifestyle. It would be equally wrong to consider this as a cannot-live-without mechanism. Let us recollect our lifestyle 10-15 years back when we used to enjoy a more carefree life with lesser use of digital technology. The trick lies in setting the boundaries shielding our wellness from the negative effects of digital technology.

About Author - Dr Prem Jagyasi

Dr Prem is an award winning strategic leader, renowned author, publisher and highly acclaimed global speaker. Aside from publishing a bevy of life-improvement guides, Dr Prem runs a network of 50 niche websites that attracts millions of readers across the globe. Thus far, Dr Prem has traveled to more than 45 countries, addressed numerous international conferences and offered his expert services to more than 150 international organizations. Currently he working on second addition of Wellness Tourism Guide Book and Upcoming Wellness Handbook. More at https://drprem.com/wellness