It would not be wrong to call today’s era the digital era. Every person nowadays uses mobile phones, laptops, televisions, etc. But it is very important to know what effect the technology we use has on our mental health and cognitive function. Actually, these technologies have a very bad effect on our body and mind. The problem caused by excessive use of digital technologies has been named digital dementia, which is similar to dementia. Dementia is a problem in which the ability to think, understand, etc. is reduced due to changes in the patient’s brain. Let’s know what digital dementia is and how it can be avoided.
Information about Digital Dementia
According to Healthline, digital dementia is called cognitive changes associated with excessive use of technology. Although digital dementia is not a real condition, research suggests that excessive use of technology can cause dementia-like changes in the patient and can also increase the risk of dementia.
Symptoms
Digital dementia is not a condition that can be diagnosed. Therefore, it is difficult to tell about its symptoms. But its symptoms can be similar to dementia, such as,
- Problems with short-term memory
- Forgetting things
- Difficulty doing multiple tasks simultaneously
Like dementia, in digital dementia too, the patient may have trouble talking to others, reasoning, focusing, etc. It is also not uncommon to have changes in sleep and mood due to excessive screen time, which also has a significant impact on brain function.
Prevention of Digital Dementia
It is not possible to avoid technology these days. But it is very wrong to let it dominate you. Ways to prevent the risk of digital dementia are as follows:
- Reduce screen time: Reducing screen time can help reduce the risk of digital dementia. Reduce your screen time as much as possible. Children of all ages should be given screen time for only two hours a day. There should be a “screen-free area” in homes, especially in the bedroom.
- Exercise: Exercise has a good effect on physical and mental health. It boosts happy hormones. Therefore, the easiest and healthiest way to reduce phone use and find happiness is to exercise. The risk of a problem like dementia can also be reduced by this.
- Read books: Nowadays people also prefer to read books on laptops or mobiles, which increases the chances of digital dementia. Instead, read a hardbound book. This will also increase your concentration.
- Spend time with friends and family: Meeting and talking with people promotes the idea of living in the present instead of sticking to the phone. This will help you stay away from digital devices, and your relationships will also become stronger.
Focus on other things: Whenever we are free or bored, our first attention goes to the phone, but instead of this, you should focus on other things. Do whatever you enjoy. Activities like breathing, meditation, and jogging will help you in this. This can prevent digital dementia.
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