Common Modern Health Risks and Solutions
While the modern age has brought with it rapid advancements in healthcare for a range of different illnesses and afflictions, it has also brought with it new challenges which were not so prominent in days gone by. Our switch to a more automated and computerised society has given us a myriad of work and entertainment options, but it has also made us more sedentary and less likely to get the exercise we need. The prevalence of fast food and delivery options at the touch of a button is something that couldn’t have been imagined in the past, but obesity figures continue to climb higher. These are just a couple of examples of how life has changed, and now we will go into more detail about a few of the other health issues that have occurred.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Both our work and leisure activities now tend to revolve around staring at a screen. It has been shown that this could increase your risks of developing computer vision syndrome (CVS) or occupational asthenopia. A few of the most common symptoms associated with this condition include headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, trouble focusing, sensitivity to light, and pain in the neck or back. Some of the factors which can worsen CVS include glare on the screen, poor lighting, and a poor workstation setup. You should be aiming to keep your monitor around two feet away from you and six inches below eye level. Position it directly in front of you to reduce eye movement. Fix the lighting in the room to get rid of any glare or reflections on the screen. Simply taking a break from staring and your screen every 20 to 30 minutes can be a big help. Try to focus on something far away from the screen during this time. If your eyes feel particularly dry, some drops can be particularly helpful.
Earbud-Related Hearing Damage
So many of us play out music through earbuds without a second thought, but you could potentially be causing damage to your hearing by turning up the volume too high. You are especially likely to turn up the sound when the background noise is particularly loud. As a result of this, younger people are developing the type of hearing-related issues which are typically associated with older adults and having to look into tinnitus management. The first and most obvious step that you can take is to turn down the volume. As well as this, you can limit the amount of time that you spend listening to your music during the day. Investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones may also be helpful, so you don’t feel the need to turn up your music so loud.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
While we all have worries and things that cause us stress during our lives, generalised anxiety disorder refers to excessive anxiety about common things in everyday life such as health, money, family or work. Often these worries are unrealistic or out of proportion to the situation, and they could get so extreme that daily functioning is impaired.
