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Preventing Text Neck and Other Health Risks Associated with Cell Phone Use

Tips for Reducing Strain on Your Neck and Minimizing Health Risks from Mobile Phone Use

By Tameka StrongPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Preventing Text Neck and Other Health Risks Associated with Cell Phone Use
Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash

Using a smartphone or other mobile device can wear down your neck's structures and put a strain on your neck muscles. This is on the grounds that peering down at your telephone changes the regular ebb and flow of your neck. This condition, known as "text neck," is brought about by extreme time enjoyed with your head and neck in a flexed position, which presses your neck muscles, ligaments, tendons, and plates.

Patients suffering from joint pain and other ailments in their hands, necks, shoulders, and upper backs are on the rise, according to health care providers. We frequently put strain on our joints and muscles when we text or browse the internet on our phones. Holding our telephones with our wrists flexed and peering down at them requires our joints and muscles to remain similarly situated for a really long time, hold a lot of weight, and move more than once across a short scope of movement.

These actions may, over time, result in pain, inflammation, and other issues. These dangers are not known to all doctors. Studies have connected tenosynovitis of the thumb (De Quervain's tenosynovitis) to visit cell phone use. Using a phone could also make arthritis patients' symptoms worse.

There are a number of ways to avoid text neck and make your neck muscles less tired. One way is to hold your telephone at eye level so you don't need to peer down. You can also stretch your neck muscles by taking frequent breaks from using your phone.

Activities, for example, jawline tucks (tucking your jaw to your chest and holding for a couple of moments prior to delivering) and shoulder bone crushes (pressing your shoulder bones together and holding for a couple of moments prior to delivering) can assist with reducing the side effects of text neck. It's also a good idea to stretch your neck muscles on a regular basis.

There are additional health risks associated with using a cell phone, in addition to text neck. Eye strain as a result of prolonged screen use and exposure to phone signal radiation are two examples. Reduce these risks by using your phone sparingly and taking breaks from it.

Breaks from using your phone should be taken every 20 to 30 minutes. During these breaks, stand up, stretch, and turn away from the screen to give your eyes and neck a rest. When making calls, use a hands-free device or speakerphone, and when not in use, keep your phone away from your body to reduce your exposure to radiation.

Change the brightness of the screen to reduce glare, increase the size of the text to make it easier to read, and blink frequently to keep your eyes moist to avoid straining your eyes while using your phone. You can likewise keep the 20-20-20 guideline: Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away.

You can cut down on how much time you spend on your phone in a variety of ways. One way is to drawn certain lines on your telephone utilization and stick to them. To help you stay within your limits, you can also disable notifications for apps that aren't necessary and use apps that track how much you use your phone. Finding alternatives to using your phone, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with friends and family, is another strategy.

You should take enough breaks from using your phone to rest your neck and eyes. Take a break every 20 to 30 minutes and spend at least a few minutes away from your phone, as a general rule. Get up, stretch, and look away from the screen during this time.

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About the Creator

Tameka Strong

I love the power of words. I love how they can make people feel, how they can transport you to another world, and how they can change perspectives on things. I hope that my writing can make a difference in the world.

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