7 Hours Online Daily? The Shocking Truth About How the Internet Is Stressing Us Out

Stress. It’s become our uninvited plus one to everything- work, family dinners, even vacations. You know what I mean? And let us be honest, our phones are the ringleaders of this chaos. They beep, buzz, and light up with an urgency that makes us feel like we are managing a space mission. But obviously we are not.

Remember when phones were just for calling? Now, they are a 24/7 news channel, a work inbox, a social platform, and sometimes, a nonstop nuisance. And it is not just the notifications. It is the fear of missing out — FOMO, as the cool kids call it. We are constantly worried what if we are not part of the trend? Sure, I could have worked hard to craft my own path but let’s face it, walking in the crowd is way easier. Maybe we can dive deeper into this in another article. For now, let’s look at some numbers.

The Stats Don’t Lie

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 86% of Americans check their emails, texts, and social media “constantly,” leading to higher stress levels. And India isn’t far behind.

According to a report by Statista, Indians spend an average of 7 hours a day online. That’s almost a full-time job dedicated to scrolling, liking, and stressing.

Actually when you give it a thought it does make sense. Just look back at your day and the reality will stare at you.

And the blue light from our screens? It’s like caffeine for our brains, messing with our sleep cycles.

The National Sleep Foundation states that 90% of people use their devices an hour before bed, and surprise, surprise — insomnia is on the rise. You know what insomnia is, right?”

Insomnia is when you just can not fall asleep or stay asleep, no matter how tired you are. It is like lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering why your brain chose this moment to replay every embarrassing thing you have ever done.

Here is the thing, being always available is exhausting. Work emails at 10 PM, and group chats that never end. It is no surprise to me that our stress levels are through the roof.

And then there is the comparison game. Social media makes everyones life look perfect. Your friend just bought a new car? Great. Your colleague is on a beach vacation? Amazing. Meanwhile, you are sitting on your couch, eating instant noodles.

So, You may ask, What is the Fix?

No, I am not suggesting you toss your phone into the ocean. But maybe, just maybe, we can set some boundaries. Like no phones at the dinner table. Or turning off notifications for apps you don’t need (do you really need to know someone liked your three-year-old photo at 2 AM?).

And let us bring back some old-school habits. Like talking to people face to face. Or reading an actual book. You know, things that don’t involve a screen.

The digital world is not all bad, it connects us, educates us, and entertains us. But let us not forget to disconnect once in a while. Because at the end of the day, no app can replace the peace of a quiet moment or the joy of genuine human interaction.

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