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Screen Addiction: A Personal Story


Photo by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash

Screens are everywhere and we benefit from this with the diverse range of medias they present. Televisions have been a significant part of our lives since childhood. We may have learnt our ABC’s from Seasame Street which aired in 1969 and has continued to be a learning resource for many generations to come. However, even an educational children’s television series can cause negative side effects. Seasame Street’s educational sketches are believed to develop a short attention span in children unlike programs such as 1968’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood which presented topics through the course of an entire episode [1].


It is common for each home to have at least one desktop or laptop computer. The vast capabilities of what one can do with these devices is fascinating. We can communicate with someone miles away in a matter of seconds, we can buy our groceries online, spread information, play video games and much more from the comfort of our own home. There are a multitude of media types which we access through our screens such as Social Media, News Media, Gaming Media and so forth.


Unfortunately, as media evolves, we must accept that the potential of negative side effects to present themselves are very likely. It is important that we understand the consequences of media dependency and screen addiction. In the same standing it is equally important that we be responsible with our time using media and continue to use it to improve our quality of life.


Screen addiction is something I had to deal with and overcome myself. I went through a difficult time and turned to excessive video gaming. Within no time at all my abilities to socialize had almost gone entirely. I was already overweight, and I gained more weight. As a result, I developed an acid reflux condition which caused my oesophagus to burn daily. I used excessive video game sessions to cope, it was becoming detrimental to my mental health. Eventually I found a way out, it was not easy, but the work was well worth it.


Video game addiction is detrimental to other areas of life, such as social and academic areas because it can lead to depression and anxiety [2].

Video games have a lot of time that leaves the user idle, for example waiting during load screens, online lobbies, reward screens and the like. During the idle time I had plenty of time to reflect on myself and the thought of “I am not doing anything” kept cropping up. I also noticed my obesity as my controller rested on my abdomen, which caused circulation problems in my hands. I wanted to take action so during the loading screens I would do press ups.


At the end of a long gaming session I could potentially do one hundred press ups, which isn’t a lot over a whole afternoon of gaming. But you must start somewhere and eventually I was able to do more press ups, improve my form and technique. I added other exercises to do during the short downtime moments in my gaming sessions. The mini workouts became more intense and that’s when I started to feel my mental health improve.


Exercise is good for mental health, as the intensity of the workouts increased my self-value began to increase, and I didn’t feel so depressed. High intensity workouts improve mental well-being [3].


If you find this story relatable then consider doing as I have done. Otherwise look for the unlikely opportunities that present themselves to decrease your media usage if you are struggling with screen addiction.

Representation of working out during a load screen

Tips and Tricks


  • Stay hydrated

  • It can take a while until exercise feels good, don’t give up

  • Take your time and know your limits

  • Rest days are very important, your muscles need them

  • If you have a large library of un-played games, you can use my method to get through them

  • Adapt to a balanced diet, don’t rush it

  • Don’t binge on protein

  • Unrealistic body expectations are prevalent on social media, don’t let this get you down


The method I have explained in my story works for other activities; if you overcome your video game addiction you can do the workouts between reading a book or chores for example.


 

References

[1] C. Swanson, "Seasame Street or Mr. Rogers?," Journal of Singing, vol. LXIX, no. 3, p. 333+, 2013.

[2] K. Cheng, "Video Game Addiction," Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence, vol. LX, no. 5, p. S118, 2012.

[3] M. Gerber, S. Brand, C. Herrmann, F. Colledge, E. Holsboer-Trachsler and U. Pühsea, "Increased objectively assessed vigorous-intensity exercise is associated with reduced stress, increased mental health and good objective and subjective sleep in young adults," Physiology & Behavior, vol. CXXXV, no. 1, pp. 17-24, 2014.


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