06 Feb The side effects from using the computer

I am the last person, who is supposed to write this post and I even write it on a computer. When I take my time to write it. I do it because I think, it is important to let you know about the importance of having interests that also gets you away from your computer.

Physical side effects

Permanent muscle damage and loss of muscle mass can be one of the side effects if you are using the computer to much and especially do not change position.

I often ask myself if my generation will have some problems with our eyes when we get old. Because of time spend in front of the computer? I can often have the feeling of tired and dry eyes myself.

I don’t know whether you use the computer mouse or not, but to much use of the mouse can provide you with a mouse arm. Mouse arm appears in the form of pain in the hand and arm. It occurs when you overload your tendons, muscles, nerves, and ligaments.

When you use the mouse and the computer you can get infiltrations in the neck and shoulders if you are sitting in the same position for a long time. It is important that you regularly get away from the computer and take a break to do some stretching.

Poor sleep

I read an article in the Guadian some days ago and in order to achieve the best sleep you should not work og read in front of computer 2-3 hours before you go to bed. The light (rays) from the screen tells your subconscious mind and body that you need to stay awake. According to Don Oakley, President of VSP Optics Group, BluTech glass can help to block the rays from the computer.

Addiction

According to Doctor Henrik Rindom from Hvidovre Hospital, overuse of computer and computer gaming, develops a psychological addiction reminiscent of gambling. Because you will continue trying to find the feeling of success when you are a good player.

Social skills

Some people choose to spend a lot of time in front the computer instead of going out and socialize, the result can be that they lose their social skills. Playing computer games can also give you the feeling that you are a part of a community, which is false and can’t be reproduced in the real life.

Depression and loneliness can over time also be some of the side effects of the lack of socialization.

Sport and inactivity

I wrote earlier that you could lose muscle mass when you stayed too much in front of the computer and especially when you don’t change position. Staying in your little computer community instead of not doing your sports activities, can be another reason for losing muscle mass. New research shows that physical activity makes you better at use the brain, whether you are a child, adult or elderly. Depression can also be one of the side effects from the lack of the production of endorphins.

Handwriting

When you only write on the computer, you don’t train the contact from your eyes to your hands. It will over time give you a less nicely handwriting. I think there will soon come a tendency to send personalized letters again. Post Danmark (Snail mail company) is currently building this in their new TV-commercials. I have started myself to improve my handwriting.

This blog post is not seen as something to be intimidated, but just make you aware that it is important to think about the side effects of computer use and especially the importance of taking breaks away from the computer in the form of stretching exercises, sports, socializing or other activities.