I spend a lot of time on the computer since I am an IT professional. Even at night, when I should be unwinding and avoiding blue light, I use computer.
Modern computers undoubtedly have provided countless benefits, but they also have their share of issues.
The Effects of Computer Use on Health-
My primary worries regarding extended computer use are:
- Exposure to blue light (Mainly at night)
- Heat generated by the machines
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation
- Concerns about posture when seated
I firmly believe that we should use technology, just make sure to do it safely. Since technology isn't going away any time soon, I sought to identify strategies for minimizing its drawbacks and dangers. I've discovered solutions for each of the aforementioned risks, so I feel more secure using a computer now.
Exposure to blue light
Numerous studies have shown that blue light exposure after sunset can impair circadian rhythm and reduce melatonin production, but more recent research indicates that this has even more detrimental effects.
Consider that, before to the development of electric lighting, humans relied primarily on the sun for their light and only used natural lighting after dark, such as candles, campfires, and lanterns (all orange lights). We suddenly had the ability to keep the lights on much past dusk with the advent of modern energy.
This use has expanded even further with the advent of computers, TVs, tablets, and smartphones, all of which emit a lot of blue light.
Electricity had numerous advantages, but it also allowed humans to alter our circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. Researchers have long known that people who work shifts and stay up late frequently have an increased chance of developing a variety of malignancies, but more recent study indicates that even brief, recreational exposure to blue light throughout the evening can be harmful.
Some researches even support the hypothesis that the growth in obesity and chronic disease is significantly influenced by the disruption of the circadian rhythm caused by (blue) light after dark. (1) There is also proof connecting this sleep cycle disruption to an increase in heart disease, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.
I've been wearing orange spectacles like these and a free computer program called f.lux to reduce blue light exposure and safeguard my melatonin levels because my workday frequently starts when my kids go to bed after dark.
Overview of Physics
Radiation is increasingly stronger the closer you are to it because of the nature of energy. As you walk away from it, its strength actually weakens radially. It adheres to the inverse-square law of physics. Intensity is inversely related to square of the distance.
This means that if you are 2 inches away from the radiation source, you will only be exposed to 1/4 as much radiation as if you were just 1 inch away. You now only receive 1/8 of the radiation if you are 4 inches away from it compared to when you were just 1 inch away. This is why many cell phone makers advise you to always keep your phone at least a few inches away from your body.
The defender pad creates some separation between my lap and the computer and is demonstrated to block all frequencies as well as heat generated by the computer:
Exposure to electromagnetic radiation
Before I did a lot of research, I used to think that the risks associated with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) were exaggerated. The many issues with EMR are still being discovered, and what is known so far can be quite frightening. The good news is that we can restrict the amount of time we spend using these gadgets, avoid using them close to our bodies, and shield our bodies from them whenever possible to prevent against the negative effects.
Many computers, especially laptops, produce several types of radiation that carry a variety of health hazards.
Concerns about posture when seated
I've already written on the risks of sitting and how they are greater than we think, and many people use computers when sitting down to work: Sitting kills more people than HIV, is more perilous than parachuting, and is more harmful than smoking. We are killing ourselves by sitting still. – the Mayo Clinic's Dr. James Levine
Dr. Levine goes on to say that sitting up too much not only raises the risk of obesity but also of many cancers, including those of the lung, endometrium, breast, and prostate, as well as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and others.
According to his research and an examination of other recent studies, each hour we spend sitting down subtracts around 21 minutes from our lifespan (smoking only subtracts 11 minutes). How many minutes are lost by each donut is still up for debate.
Some of the explanations are as follows:
- Sitting reduces our calorie expenditure by 50 per hour (compared to standing)
- Sitting can result in muscular atrophy or tightness in specific areas, which can cause problems like back pain.
- Additionally, studies demonstrate that prolonged sitting reduces the muscles'
- Ability to release Lipase, an enzyme that regulates the appropriate breakdown of lipids.
- Long periods of sitting can lower insulin sensitivity and raise the chance of developing insulin resistance.
- Long-term excessive sitting can lower bone density.
Simply standing while using a computer is an easy (and cost-free) option. To maintain my computer at the proper height, I've in the past stood at a counter or set some boxes on my desk. To make things easier, I eventually just bought a stand-up desk, but just find a method to stand as much as you can.
I have a standing desk that I bought for under $200 that has lasted me for several years and is still in excellent condition. It actually takes up less space than a typical desk because I keep it in a room's corner. Another unexpected bonus is that my standing desk is one of the few secure spots in the house where I can keep my camera or other fragile equipment because my little children can't get to the top of it.
These are the precautions I personally take to reduce danger, but I'm sure we will learn more about all of these risks of computer use in the future, particularly those related to electromagnetic radiation.
Comments
Post a Comment