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teenywhatever · 5 years ago

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SWAP YOUR HATER-BLOCKERS FOR SOME BLUE LIGHT PROTECTION

Smartphones and most all screens, in general, emit a ‘blue light’, which our eyes seriously struggle to block from reaching the retina. Apparently, less than 1% of UV rays from the sun damage our eyes yet “virtually all blue light passes through the cornea and reaches the retina”* SCARY.

From the moment we wake up we’re exposed to screens, in waiting rooms, in our kitchen, we put them in front of our children’s faces at dinner to keep them entertained. Babies are raised with blue screens and a world without them seems impossible. But what’s happening here, right before our eyes, inside our eyes?

Turns out, blue light exposure negatively impacts long term eye health, is a main contributor to eye strain, and is even more harmful after eye surgery, such as Lasik or cataract. When you think about the hours you spend tapped into the digital world, whether it be scrolling Instagram on your iPhone, checking emails on your work computer, or ordering to-go food from Wawa, you’re staring at a blue light. “Because short-wavelength, high energy blue light scatters more easily than other visible light, it is not as easily focused. When you're looking at computer screens and other digital devices that emit significant amounts of blue light, this unfocused visual "noise" reduces contrast” which leads to eye strain, headaches, nausea, and more.

I remember being a kid, having not grown up with any video game devices, no phone or laptop, and only one family room TV we kept in your finished basement, I wasn’t a big electronic person. If I watched TV or a movie, that itself if the activity, which reminds me of when I was a little kid and I would always be the last awake at sleepovers because I watched the entire movie while everyone fell asleep in the first few minutes. How is this relevant?

Blue light isn’t the worst, in some cases it is beneficial. “It's well documented that some blue light exposure is essential for good health. Research has shown that high-energy visible light boosts alertness, helps memory and cognitive function and elevates mood.” Now to relate this to my story, no matter how tired I was because I was watching the movie, the excessive and scattered blue light coming from the large flat-screen TV kept me alert and awake. I find this to be a recurring issue with our generation particularly, but in general, it’s an issue causing late nights.

Before phones and digital electronics, when people couldn’t sleep there were limited options: listen to the radio, go on a walk, read - they were options that would most likely lead the individual to become more fatigued and fall asleep. Now the issue is how we handle our boredom and inability to fall asleep, we use our phones and TVs, causing us to become more alert, awake, and boots up our brain instead of encouraging it to shut down and enter REM sleep cycles. These blue lights strain our eyes even more in the dark and provide endless distractions which could lead the user to be up for hours.

SO THE QUESTION IS:

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THIS EXCESSIVE HARMFUL BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE?

Luckily, I’ve found myself a pair of blue light blocking glasses that made my time in the digital world not only bearable for my eyes but more enjoyable in general, especially during times like finals week when I’m working on a long thesis or if I’m watching a movie.

Amazon, Walmart, and various other companies sell blue light blocking glasses so it should be no problem to get your hands on a good pair for no more than $20, and knowing the benefits, it’s hard to turn that down. Plus, they’re not half bad at making them stylish, so you may even be inclined to wear them when you’re not tapping away on your device.

Try it out! Let me know how it goes for you :)

Blue Light Blocking Glasses: https://www.amazon.com/Cyxus-Computer-Blocking-Eyestrain-Transparent/dp/B01GNO3G48/ref=zg_bs_17919093011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9AGRSB82A6AEZ48BCWAE

PEACE & LOVE

Teeny :)

https://www.instagram.com/teenywhatever/

*https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-in/digital-devices/blue-light/

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teenywhatever · 5 years ago

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DEATH BY WIFI

He’s a silent killer.. one we will upon us.

“What’s your wifi password?”

“Do you have WiFi?”

“GET HIGH-SPEED WIFI, INSTANT CONNECTION, 1 MILLION + MORE DATA WAVES BEING SENT. SIGN UP WITH US!”

We love it- we’re lost without it. Without service and no Wifi to save us, our precious $1k+ devices are virtually pointless. Is it more toxic than simply an obsessive relationship with this constant connection?

A study ran on the damages of Wifi on plant growth found that when seeds were planted close to the wifi router, they didn’t sprout and actually died.

“In the experiment, they placed six trays in a room without any equipment and another six trays in a room next to two routers.

Over 12 days many of the seedlings in the wifi room turned brown and died, whereas those in the others room thrived. “ * In connection to outside studies, “The results will bolster the findings of researchers in Holland, who found that trees exposed to wireless radio signals suffered from damaged bark and dying leaves.”

Here we are, willingly microwaving ourselves throughout our sleep with our phone under our pillow, throughout the day in our thigh pocket as we walk to class, or in our sports bra while running. When you think of the repercussions this has, it’s scary. We willingly use Bluetooth headphones which send the powerful waves right to our brain, we have various BlueTooth devices throughout our homes including Alexa or our speakers.

What would the world look like if you put on a pair of glasses and it showed you all the radio, BlueTooth, and wireless vibrations throughout the space you’re in? Maybe I can’t speak for everyone, but I think I’d be a bit horrified.

This is simply yet another reason as to why I like to have a hiatus from the digital world every few weeks. Not only does my brain and soul need it, but my body needs it too.

While there aren’t glasses for seeing all the harmful microwaves sent off by the digital world, there are glasses that can help you from damaging your eyes to the exposure of these lights and screens.

READ ABOUT IT IN MY NEXT ARTICLE!

PEACE & LOVE

Teeny :)

https://www.instagram.com/teenywhatever/

*https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2524598/Experiment-finds-plants-die-placed-internet-Wi-Fi-routers.html

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teenywhatever · 5 years ago

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Dealing with a Digital World - How to Find Your Balance

It’s constant and there’s almost no escape it can feel like.

During my social media hiatus, I was impossible not to realize what a big role in the digital world, and more specifically social media, plays in our lives. Whenever I met a new friend, they often asked for my Instagram or Snapchat handle instead of my phone number, which was all I could give them at the time. Every person I responded to with this was taken back in surprise. As a 19-year-old, I grew up with technology, speaking the digital language as my second tongue. Although it may be against popular culture, I’m not a big phone person. I prefer not to have it with me and I find it a waste of time to get locked into social media. Over the years, I’ve found a few methods that help me cope with the repercussions of the digital world and finding a balance between the false reality it creates and the present moment.

Take A Break

Delete the apps. I know, it’s a scary thought. Do it. You can always re-download them! Now go be free, go on a walk and don’t take your phone. See the sunset and don’t share the photo to social media. It’s different. You might not even find the need to take a photo of it since you can’t share it on your profile.

Funny, isn’t it? How much we share? How much we feel the need to share? Our food, our annoyances, the kind acts we do, the shoes we bought, a clip of every song from the concert attended… it reminds me of the saying “photo/video or it didn’t happen” since, in our world, almost everything is digitally documented.

Give yourself a few days. The first is probably the worst and most displaced feeling. It’s strange when you can’t peak into everyone’s day, but I’ve come to realize I’m better off for it. I get to choose what I feed my soul in each moment - it’s a beautiful thing. I find myself living life so much more when I stop watching others live theirs. Go, get up, and live!

2. Journal

I’ve found it helpful to objectively analyze my digital actions to understand my habits and what greater need I’m trying to fulfill. Even if you don’t write often, or ever, it’s a useful way to see your feelings and thoughts put on paper.

When was the last time you didn’t have access?

When was the last time you consciously observed your phone habits, particularly regarding social media?

What feelings do you have when you’re on social media? After you close the app?

Why do you use social media?

How do you feel when you don’t have your phone for extended periods of time?

Do you feel the time used on social media is well spent?

How do you feel about not using any social media for a week? Why?

What’s a hobby you want to try/learn/smart?

Consider deleting social media and doing that activity or hobby.

How often do you have earbuds or music playing? Would you be able to go without it?

Next time you’re in an in-between space and waiting, whether an elevator or at a doctors office, maybe even a traffic light, don’t go on your phone. Don’t use it. How does this feel?

Take notice of other’s digital habits and use those to reflect on your own. Is everyone in the room around you on their phone? Would you normally be one of those people if you weren't doing any activity to make you mindful?

Let your mind wander. Take these as inspiration to dig down into your roots, your habits, your tendencies, your thoughts - the self-talk that is often hushed by the blaring noise of the digital world. Get to know yourself.

3. Meditate

Whether it’s a long walk, laying in a warm bathtub, or sitting on the floor of your kitchen, you can meditate anywhere. This mental cleanse that meditation brings helps me find balance between the digital world with its constant pull and peace of mind in the present. `

Meditating can be incredibly simple. A lot of people overthink the practice of meditating - they don’t know where to begin or even what it is. The excessive use of social media is known to decrease productivity and neuroplasticity and increase stress hormones. In contrast, meditating is known to do the exact opposite of both these things, as well as increase happiness hormones and intensify neuroplasticity.

If you feel overwhelmed by the digital world or if you need to center yourself in any moment, try this mindfulness meditation.

Get comfortably seated. Have your eyes open and breathe freely. Take a moment to notice your surroundings, the people, the environment, the colors. What are you hearing? Where is it coming from?

Once you feel you’ve taken in your surroundings, turn your attention inwards. Feel your breath. Feel the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe naturally. Can you feel your heartbeat? Take a breath, and release it. Take another breath but hold this one for a moment, then breathe it out slower than you inhaled. Repeat this. Do you feel your parasympathetic nervous system kick in when you exhale? Your heartbeats should be farther apart on your exhale.

If your eyes have not closed by now, close them. Continue to feel your breath. After a few more breaths take your attention to your body and the sensations that accompany it. Allow your mind to travel down to your toes. Wiggle them, say hello to your feet. They do so much for you! Relax them, completely. Let your attention travel up, into your ankles. Roll them. Relax them. Now travel to your calves. Stretch. Relax. Breathe. Check-in with your breath as you check-in with your body. Return your attention to your calves and your knees. Relax them. Mindfully acknowledge your thighs and pelvis, your hips.

Travel now to your torso, into your belly. What can you feel? What is your body telling you? Place your hand on your stomach and feel your breath, feel the rise and fall of your stomach as you breathe in and out slowly, consciously. Travel up now to your rib cage, feeling it expand with each breath. Feel your heart pumping, Find the beat. Feel it, feel it change with your inhale and exhale. Check into your chest and your biceps, down your arms to your fingertips now. Up your neck, to your head. Feel your face. Move the muscles, stretch them. Feel your face breathing and engaging as you move it. Relax it now completely. Feel the top of your head and your crown.

Feel the energy around you. Acknowledge the outer energy layer that extends past the confines of your skin. Take a deep breath.

When you are ready, open your eyes and awaken your body by wiggling your fingers and toes.

4. Prioritize

So you don’t want to delete your apps. Maybe you’re too attached, maybe it’s for business purposes, maybe you need to see what your favorite YouTuber eats for breakfast every day - that’s fine! But if you find you’re struggling to find your balance, prioritize by re-organizing, your phone that is.

Unlock your phone. Where do you keep social media apps? Are they on your home page? Your stationary dock? If so, it could be helpful to create an app folder to make them slightly (one tap) less accessible. Silly it seems, I know, but if there is one thing I know is that the saying “out of sight, out of mind” stands. Not seeing the icon front and center will start shifting frequented neuropathways away from social media and apps that you have found to be “energy vampires”.

When you wake up, wait to go on social media. Don’t exit your clock app just to hop into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Get up, grab your coffee, and get some fresh air. Maybe do a mindfulness practice or set your intentions for the day before filling it with clutter.

Give it a try!

5. Yoga

What’s the relevance of yoga and the digital world you say? Well besides the plethora of yoga pant clad Instagram influencers promoting one product or another, yoga can be a great alternative to time spent in the digital world. I’ve found yoga to be incredibly helpful for not only the physical repercussions of using my phone and computer so much but also a catalyst to disconnecting and finding balance. Yoga and meditation share a similar background as they are focused on clearing mental clutter and connecting the mind, body, and soul. Sitting on a little electronic mirrored device for hours stagnates not only the body but the mind, which is what yoga helps to take care of. The physical aspects of yoga being mindfulness back to the body as well as get the blood flowing. The mental aspect of yoga clears the mind and centers the soul, leading to inner balance.

These are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned on my journey to disconnect from and find balance in the digital world. If you’re facing the same challenges or give one of my recommendations a try, let me know how it goes!

PEACE & LOVE

Teeny :)

https://www.instagram.com/teenywhatever/

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teenywhatever · 5 years ago

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Turning Off a Noisy World

*BEEP* *BEEP**BEEP*

*BEEP**BEEP**BEEP*

Your alarm goes off in the morning. You roll over, turn it off, and open Instagram, or maybe Snapchat... Facebook, Twitter? Everybody has their go-to social media, I barely started to cover them but aforementioned I’d consider the staple four. During the semester we did an assignment requiring us to be mindful, to take some time without our phone and the constant pull it has. It’s really incredible what happens when I consciously choose to disconnect from electronics and be present.

“For the final lesson, you’re encouraged to take a mindful walk outdoors. Don’t bring your phone, don’t listen to music, just take a walk. Be aware of your surroundings, engage your senses and savor the opportunity to be free of all the digital noise. The walk can be a self-care tool for the always-on social media professional. Use it to relax, discover content opportunities and stimulate thought. For some, the walk can be meditative; rather than focusing on your breath or repeating a mantra, place your focus on the sensation of each stride. Your next big idea may be a few steps away.“

Earlier in the semester, we were asked to keep track of our social media habits. Although I spent roughly an hour total on all social media combined at the time, I decided I needed a legitimate break. For almost an entire month I was without any social media channels and experienced an insanely noticeable increase in my quality of life.

Once the apps were off my phone and inaccessible, I started driving myself crazy every time I opened my phone or closed a text by searching to open these apps that were no longer there. I realized how habitual social media was for me; close texts, open Instagram, close Instagram, open Snapchat, close Snapchat, open Instagram again, and the cycle would continue. Yet now I no longer had these distractions available to me 24/7 to scroll through endlessly.

So what exactly changed?

I started reading. In less than a week, I finished a book series with each book consisting of 600+ pages. I learned 6 new songs on the guitar and picked up playing the piano for almost an hour a day, which I’d been talking about learning for the past decade. I used up a roll of film in my camera for candid moments that I felt were worth a physical copy. I went to a concert, to the beach, experienced the casinos in Atlantic City for the first time.. and I did this all without feeling the need to share it with everyone, without feeling like I needed to share I was doing something; there was no need for outside approval. I was there, and I was present - present with my friends, who in turn were present with me. I was fully present for myself and my consciousness. A trend around my friends became “hangup and hangout” which meant keeping the phones down and away. I’ve been more productive, and now that I have social media back, I’ve taken these good habits with me. In fact, and this has always been common for me, I don’t keep my phone with me often. During this time I barely ever had my phone with me and it was often lost or left at home since I didn’t feel the need to have it. This hiatus weakened my attachment to my phone, social media, and the strange need to be aware of what’s going on in everyone's�� lives; I was living my own life and that was plenty for me.

When I wasn’t on social media, I had to reach out to my friends personally and vise-versa to see what they were up to and how they were. Realizing I had so many pointless surface-level conversations with followers or friends on social media, I made the effort to FaceTime my real friends, send them the photos I would have put on my story, or text them about their day instead of seeing what they did through public posts. What I came to notice was how much social media creates an illusion of relationship and connection.

I once read that our thoughts, our self-talk is a conversation with the universe. What we fill our mind with, what we ingest through photos, words, advertisements, tweets, stories, etc impact our thoughts and our self-talk - our soul food. Without social media, I felt very little need to make any comparison between my life and other’s, I barely saw advertisements, I was disconnected from my black mirror and living in real life, in each moment. It’s a completely different way to live life.

This article is not to say social media is terrible, but it can become toxic and addictive, detaching us from our true self-talk and the present moment. It creates a way to be constantly in “the loop”, but the loop of a false reality which contorts our perceptions. I’ve learned there is a time and a way to use my phone and social media that can benefit me without crossing over to being toxic, yet I am mentally healthier and more fulfilled when I have very limited phone use, especially on social media apps. Phones are meant to be helpful and provide resources, yet I find I am living in a world of people completely tuned out to reality and tuned into these little black mirrors searching for something, though no one is sure what.

If we don’t take the time for a mental cleanse to detach from this reality, it will consume us.

What do you think?

PEACE & LOVE

Teeny :)

https://www.instagram.com/teenywhatever/

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