In our modern world, technology is always evolving, becoming more and more of a mainstay in the way we work, the way we play, and the way we care for our health. 

Although technology does make some processes simpler and more efficient, it's important to not ignore when technology can be a detriment to health. In this article, we’ll explore technology’s effects on health and learn when to set aside your tech – as well as how to use technology to your advantage.

How can technology affect your health?

The question of the hour: how can technology affect your health? We see technology influencing many aspects of health: the creation of nutritious foods and supplements, the way we exercise our bodies and brains using activity trackers and meditation apps, and the way we learn about warning signs of illnesses and detecting disease.

Three benefits of technology on health

Technological advances are important for the health field ‒ whether in research, treatment methods, or patient education and communication methods. By optimizing and growing the capabilities of technology, health can also reap the benefits. So how does technology affect health?

1. Wearable health trackers

The abundance of smart watches makes tracking your personal health and biomarkers on a regular basis easy and convenient. With a quick glance at your wrist, you can look at your physical activity for the day, measure your heart rate and blood oxygen, and even get alerts of irregular heart rhythms. These accessible data help to keep your physical health top of mind.

Smart rings and bands are increasingly becoming popular ways to measure things like exercise recovery and sleep patterns, helping us better understand how interwoven the many facets of health truly are. 

For individuals with diabetes, continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps make managing blood sugar much easier and more discreet compared to the traditional prick-and-stick methods. These monitors and pumps are often connected to smartphone apps, providing users with data to inform behavior patterns and medication management. 

2. Telehealth visits

Smartphones and tablets are hand-held technologies of choice in many households, making health care more accessible. Patients and clients now have more options for care because they don’t have to worry about fighting traffic on their way into the clinic or getting back to work before the end of a lunch break. 

Many primary care office providers and urgent care clinics have adopted telehealth options to make seeing patients easier and with expanded hours. Now you don’t have to wait until the next available appointment. Instead, calling up the telehealth line is a convenient way to be assessed and provided recommendations of next steps, whether that means ordering a prescription or necessitating a follow-up appointment for more specialized care. 

3. At-home health tests

Thorne’s health tests and blood draw technologies are among the many at-home tests available to consumers. These home health testing kits collect samples and provide detailed analyses and recommendations based on the test’s results. With options for purchasing, including through some FSA and HSA programs, these at-home health tests make it easy to take a deeper look at what’s going on inside to prioritize your physical and mental health.  

These benefits of technology in health care remove some of the barriers to treatment for patients, increasing their ability to prevent disease and promote healthy living. However, sometimes the avalanche of gadgets, apps, and web-based tools we use daily can hinder rather than help.

Four negative impacts of technology on health

Growing up, maybe your parents told you something like, “Watching all that TV will rot your brain.” Now maybe the idea of technology causing health problems doesn’t seem so dire, but there are several research-backed negative side effects of the 7-plus hours of screen time that Americans typically spend per day.1 

1. Musculoskeletal issues

Whether you’re at a computer for work or play, spending extended periods of time in front of a screen can lead to physical health issues. Common musculoskeletal issues associated with computer use include neck and shoulder pain, upper or lower back pain, and repetitive strain injuries in the wrists and hands.

Poor posture, unsupportive chairs, and the positioning of equipment contribute to the nearly 50 percent of adult tech users who experience computer-related health issues.2 To prevent aches and pains, there are several safeguards to keep in mind as you plug in for the day.

Create an ergonomic environment. The placement and orientation of your desk, chair, and computer and tech accessories all make a difference! Your chair should be high enough so your feet rest flat on the floor and your wrists are parallel to the tabletop and keyboard. This helps you keep a straight posture to protect your upper and lower back. The computer monitor should be straight in front of you, about an arm's length away from your face and at or slightly below eye level to prevent neck strain. 

Take regular movement breaks to stretch muscles and increase blood flow. Even five minutes of walking away from your desk or spent doing desk stretches can clear your head and release tension held in the body.

Nutritional supplements can help, too. Botanicals like curcumin and Boswellia support a healthy inflammatory response in the body, especially in the affected joints and muscles.* Paired together, these movements and botanicals can provide relief from the daily discomforts of life. 

2. Digital eye strain

Not only does the positioning of your screen matter, but the time spent looking at it does, too! Looking at screens, particularly up close, takes more effort for your eyes to focus on the objects and words in front of you. If you’re straining to see the screen, then you might notice that your eyes start to feel tired or dry, your vision can blur, and you might experience tension headaches. 

To prevent digital eye strain, use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes away from your computer to look at something at least 20 feet away or more for at least 20 seconds. This gives the lenses of your eyes a chance to relax, because they naturally contract for close-up vision. And don’t forget to blink! Often, when looking at screens, our blinks decrease to only 5-7 times per minute compared to the normal 15 blinks per minute.3 Blinking regularly lubricates the eyes and prevents dryness.

The blue light that emits from the artificial light, including technology screens, is particularly harmful to your eyes in large doses. Manually adjusting the contrast on your screen, using software to do so automatically, or throwing on a pair of blue-light blocking glasses can minimize the blue light absorbed by the eyes.

To further support the eyes’ ability to filter out blue light from screens and artificial light, Thorne’s Memoractiv contains Lutemax® 2020, a combination of the antioxidant carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.* These antioxidant nutrients protect vision health and decrease eye fatigue.*

3. Disrupted sleep

The effects of blue light go beyond eye health and vision. Blue light from artificial lights and screens also disrupts the brain’s production of melatonin, a key hormone involved in healthy sleep. Limiting blue-light exposure, especially in the evening, ensures melatonin is circulating to ease you into restful sleep. 

Keeping screens out of the bedroom is key! Avoid mounting a big screen TV in the bedroom and move your phone charger to the bathroom or kitchen to remove the extra distraction and disruption before bed.

To measure melatonin and cortisol levels, two hormones involved with sleep, Thorne’s Sleep Test is a great way to keep tabs on your sleep hygiene and see how technology plays a role and how you might have room for improvement.

If you are also noticing muscle discomfort from your time spent at the computer, then Thorne’s Magnesium Bisglycinate can be a beneficial addition to your wind-down routine to help your muscles and mind relax for bed.*

4. Mental health concerns

With social media permeating the technological landscape, the effect of technology on mental health can't be forgotten. In a recent study, young adults with higher social media use had higher perceived social isolation.4 Even if social media were designed to bring individuals together and foster connection, the constant comparison and idolization of others leads to more self-criticism and negative self-image. Another study found that reducing social media use by 50 percent for just a few weeks led to significant improvements in self-image and self-esteem in youth.5 Small changes make a difference!

Tracking screen use can help you take stock of how much time you spend on screens and for what reason. Many smartphones have tracking capabilities to see how daily and weekly time online stacks up. Although many of us can’t get rid of our work computers, limiting screen use aside from work or school purposes is a more reasonable alternative. Setting screen limits or timers on social media apps we turn to as a break, a distraction, or a coping mechanism reduces overuse and protects both mental and physical health.

In summary, finding the right balance of technology in our lives is important to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative effects on our health. 

Curious to learn more about how technology can affect your health? Check out these otherTake 5 Daily articles to learn more about the roles of technology in health:

References

  1. Revealing average screen time statistics. Backlinko. https://backlinko.com/screen-time-statistics. [Accessed May 22, 2024]
  2. Borhany T, Shahid E, Siddique WA, Ali H. Musculoskeletal problems in frequent computer and internet users. J Family Med Prim Care 2018;7(2):337-339. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_326_17
  3. Computers, Digital Devices and Eye Strain. American Academy of Opthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/computer-usage. [Accessed May 22, 2024].
  4. Primack BA, Shensa A, Sidani JE, et al. Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S. Am J Prev Med 2017;53(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.010
  5. Thai H, Davis CG, Mahboob W, et al. Reducing social media use improves appearance and weight esteem in youth with emotional distress. Psych Pop Media 2024;13(1):162-169.