In a 2019 study, researchers estimated that teenagers and young adults spent an average of 7.5 hours (nearly ⅓ of our days) looking at a screen (phones, computers, tablets, etc.) everyday. The pandemic has only exacerbated this by forcing people to go to school and work online. Excessive screen use in teenagers and young adults has been linked to lower activity levels, being less productive, problems sleeping, depression, and anxiety. The first step to addressing this problem is being conscious of how much time you are spending on devices. Most devices come with the ability to track your screen time. If you find yourself spending too much unnecessary time on your phone, set small goals for yourself. Try to set down your phone during certain activities like homework, spending time with people, or before bed, or you can limit the amount of time spent on individual apps. Look up from your screens and enjoy the beautiful weather, Bishops!
For more tips and updates from the Student Health Center, follow us on Instagram @owustudenthealthcenter and on Facebook @owuhealthcenter.
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: OWU Student Health Center
Contact: Leigh Stavar at health@owu.edu