Is your screen time stealing your energy, sleep, or mental clarity? In this episode of Health Talk: Your Partner in Health, Dr. Caitlin Prickett and Jeffery Runyon dive into the growing health crisis of digital overload. Learn how excessive technology use affects your brain, posture, and emotional well-being — and discover science-backed strategies to take control and reconnect with what matters most.
🧠 Topics Covered
* What is digital overload and why does it matter?
* The neurological and physical impact of constant screen use
* Effects of blue light on melatonin and sleep quality
* Real-life stories and practical boundaries from both physician and patient
* Family-focused tech boundaries and digital wellness at work
* Tools and resources for a healthier relationship with tech
🩺 Key Clinical Insights & Stats
* The average adult spends 7+ hours/day on screens (Statista, 2022)
* Blue light delays melatonin production and disrupts circadian rhythm (Harvard Medical School)
* Over 50% of adults report digital eye strain (American Optometric Association)
* Kids with >2 hrs/day of screen time perform worse on cognitive tests (JAMA Pediatrics, PMID: 30865272)
* Family tech boundaries improve child behavior and sleep (BMC Public Health, PMID: 32054427)
🛠️ Tools & Takeaways
Top Tips to Start Your Digital Detox:
* Set screen-free zones (e.g., bedroom, dinner table)
* Use "Downtime" or "Focus" modes on your phone
* Replace tech with analog habits: walks, books, conversation
* Try a "Digital Sabbath" – one screen-free day each week
* Wind down without screens 60 minutes before bed
📚 Featured Research
* Front Psychiatry (2021): Screen Time & Mental Health – [PMID: 34306192]
* JAMA Pediatrics (2019): Child Cognitive Development – [PMID: 30865272]
* BMC Public Health (2020): Family Tech Boundaries – [PMID: 32054427]
* Harvard Health: Blue Light & Sleep
* American Optometric Association: Digital Eye Strain
* RescueTime Report (2022): Workplace Distraction Data
* PNAS Nexus (2024): Digital Detox & Mental Health
🎯 Listener Challenge
This week, try one of the following:
* 24-hour digital detox
* Set 1 screen-free habit
* Tag us with your success at #HealthTalkDetox
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