Addiction isn’t the only side-effect of owning a smart gadget such as a phone or tablet. The more we use them, especially phones, the more we’re endangering our health. Various studies have already shown the negative effects these devices have on our posture, and there’s even a neurological condition that can be caused by overusing a smartphone.
Texting, one of the things we do most with iPhones and Android handsets, is also quite risky for your body, and this infographic lays out several negative effects it can have on your body.
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Put together by Experience Life and shared by LifeHacker, the infographic says that the average person sends and receives about 50 text messages every day, combining to rack up a total of 2.19 trillion texts per year. The graphic goes on to share four medical conditions that can be caused by heavy texting, and it also suggests some solutions.
When texting, you tend to tilt your neck forward, adding up to 60 pounds of extra pressure at a 60-degree angle. To avoid an aching neck and sore back, you should raise your phone, so your ears are directly above your shoulders.
Tilting your head forward also affects the way you breathe, making deep breaths harder to take and impacting your heart and lungs. To avoid breathing issues and “screen apnea,” you should get up and stretch every hour or so. When you’re doing that, breathe slowly and deeply.
“Texting thumb” isn’t an officially diagnosed medical condition, but it’s something heavy texters might encounter. Because thumbs don’t have the dexterity of other fingers, pain, or even a popping sound can be experienced, as well as a decrease in grip strength and a shorter range of motion. Avoid texting thumb by using your voice rather than manually texting.
Finally, “text claw” is the last potential condition you should be aware of. Overuse of text messaging can lead to text claw, or an habitual clenching that can give you tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid it, try to stretch regularly and move your hands through their full range of motion, the infographic says.
Check out Experience Life’s full infographic below (click on the plus signs for more information about each condition).
