Why Technology is Both Good and Bad for Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Technology is a blessing. So many of the things that we do require some sort of technology. Whether it's work with the use of computers, or it's play with the use of televisions, technology has become a key part of our everyday lives. But with all of the good that technology brings, it also brings some bad. If you have felt the swing between the good and bad of technology, take a look at how it can affect your life both negatively and positively, followed by some tips for balancing technology in your life.
The Good
There are plenty of good aspects about technology in our lives. The most obvious is that it makes life so much easier. We don't have to keep up with paperwork. We don't have to go to the library for research. Information is literally at our fingertips. Work is easier. School is easier. Storing information is a cinch. And of course, there's the entertainment aspect. We have so much to do, to watch, to participate in. It's these aspects of technology that we wouldn't want to give up. An easier life has been the goal for years, and our modern world is succeeding in this area by spades.
The Bad
There are definitely some downsides to using technology constantly. Some speculate that technology is contributing to a decline in mental health. Because everything is easy to find online, we have less contact with real people. It's also harming the health of our necks and backs, as we sit and bend our necks over a device for hours on end. Pain is par for the course, but we still don't stop using it. Technology has also robbed a generation of a particular set of skills that prior generations possessed. We no longer know how to deal in a world without convenience. While these negative aspects of technology are alarming, are they really enough to stop their use?
Finding Balance
Perhaps the best approach to technology is to find a good balance. We need technology today. We wouldn't know how to survive without it. But maybe it's time to cut back. Maybe it's time to limit the use of technology for frivolous things. Finding the balance with technology will take years for our society to find. But doing so may help save our health and get our world moving in a better direction for a brighter, healthier future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Asheville, N.C.