Ayse Sena Aykin
How often have you checked the time, responded to a message, or checked the news on your phone today? How many minutes did you not even realize had turned into hours? You’re not alone if you’re unsure. The distinction between using technology and being used by it is becoming increasingly blurred in a world where every beep, buzz and swipe is intended to draw us in.
Overusing social media and screen time is a serious lifestyle problem, not simply a passing worry. It impacts our thoughts, sleep patterns, interpersonal relationships and even self-esteem. It slowly enters our daily routines until we abruptly notice that whole days, including weekends, have gone by in a flurry of scrolling.
Digital dilemma
Screen time infuses almost every waking moment, from early morning alarms to late-night Instagram sessions. For everything, including news, work, talks, entertainment and even leisure, we depend on them. What started out as a way to make life easier has evolved into something we use daily, frequently without even recognizing it.
The average individual now looks at a screen for over 7 hours every day. This covers TVs, PCs, tablets and phones. Many people spend two to three hours a day on social media alone. Innocently, it begins with checking a message, responding to a comment or watching a quick video, and then suddenly, an hour has passed.
Technology isn’t inherently terrible. However, when it takes up all of our time, it can leave us feeling emotionally and cognitively exhausted.
Unseen side effects
One of the most significant consequences of screen time is our mental health. The more time we spend online, particularly on sites with well-curated lifestyles and mirror-like photos, the easier it is to compare our own lives to others and feel like we’re falling short. Over time, this little pressure lowers our happiness and self-esteem.
Then there is the sleep problem. Late-night scrolling throws off our body’s normal rhythm and lowers the quality of our sleep. The hormone that signals our bodies when it’s time to relax, melatonin, is suppressed by the blue light from screens. Furthermore, our brains frequently remain awake and overstimulated long after we put the phone away, which makes it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Physical symptoms of tech-related exhaustion, such as headaches, stiff necks, bad posture and dry eyes, are rising. These might not seem like much at first, but over time, they add up to a general fatigue that coffee cannot alleviate.
Is it addiction, then?
Despite the fact that social media addiction isn’t formally recognized as a condition, many of us exhibit symptoms. Every time we pause, we grab our phones. We scroll endlessly. When the battery is low or we leave our gadgets at home, we experience anxiety or restlessness.
Rebalancing, not rejecting
What can we do, then? Complete withdrawal is neither essential nor realistic. The aim is to use our devices intentionally, not to give them up.
Here are some easy, doable actions to start taking back your time and presence:
Create screen-free areas: Avoid using your phone in the bathroom, bed or dinner table. By default, make those moments device-free.
Change your morning and evening routine: Resist the urge to scroll first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Even five minutes of quiet, journaling, or stretching can make a difference.
Disable unnecessary alerts: Each ding signals you to pay attention. The fewer distractions, the more mental space you’ll have.
Check your screen time: Weekly usage reports are now available on most devices. Use them as a guide to increase your awareness rather than as a source of guilt.
Change the behavior: Keep a book nearby. Make a cup of tea. Take a walk without using your phone. We underestimate how grounded analog pleasures are, so reconnect with them.
Living beyond the screen
This has nothing to do with trashing technology. We can remain entertained, informed and connected thanks to screens. Although they are a part of contemporary life, they shouldn’t take up all our time.
When we stop and consider how we use our devices, we frequently discover something unexpected: We miss the little moments rather than the significant ones, the genuine smile rather than the emoticon, a walk in the breeze rather than listening to a podcast, the cozy quiet between friends rather than occupying every moment.
Therefore, stop the next time your hand instinctively reaches for your phone. Take a breath. Look up. Life might be waiting for you there.
Courtesy: Dailysabah
