Our
cellphones have become so vital to our daily lives. Research has shown
that the average person checks their phone 85 times a day and that we
spend a total of five hours using our cellphones to browse the web or
use apps. For many, our smartphone is the first thing we look at in the
morning and the last thing we check at bedtime. Although quick glances
at our phone may seem harmless, it can in fact be affecting us
physically, mentally and emotionally. We caught up with some experts who
help explain the ugly side of excessive cellphones use.
1. Ugly posture.
When
we look down at our cellphones we are straining our necks and slouching
our shoulders. Doing this can cause some serious damage to our overall
posture even leading us to lose up to an inch to an inch and a half of
height. “I see up to 10 patients a week complaining of severe neck and
shoulder pain. When asked how often they use their phones the typical
response is all the time. When pain becomes chronic and severe, surgery
has to be considered,” explains Dr. Richard Samperisi, CoFounder of Campus Chiropractic Center at Florida International University & Functional Medicine Practitioner.
2. Ugly eye strain, bags and wrinkles.
Not
only can staring at your phone all day cause serious neck and shoulder
pain, the extreme use of our phones is leading to various eye conditions
such as blurred vision, eye strain, headaches and dry eyes as well as
to a condition they like to call “tech neck.” For those concerned with
cosmetics and eye appearance constant squinting leads to wrinkles and
under eye bags. New Bern, North Carolina plastic surgeon Dr. John Zannis
explains that a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures
that address under eye bags, drooping and sagging usually range from 5 -
$10,000 with a recovery time of up to 2 weeks. He’s also seen a rise in
complaints about neck lines and wrinkling skin attributed to excessive
cell phone use.
3. Ugly skin.
Are
you constantly struggling with breakouts around your cheeks or chin?
Instead of blaming hormones, junk food or a bad skincare routine
consider looking at the device in your hand. “Our cellphones are filled
with bacteria. We are continuously touching them with dirty hands,
throwing them in our bags, stuffing them in our pockets or putting them
on counter tops. Then without even thinking twice we put our phones
right up to our ears where all of that bacterium from those dirty areas
wreak havoc on our face,” offers Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Kaly
Papantoniou. She suggests frequently wiping the phone screen and using a
face wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to rid bacteria from
building up.
4. Ugly Manners
We
see people at restaurants who are more focused on snapping a pic of
their meal than enjoying each other’s company. Our persistent use of our
cellphones can be affecting our relationships with the people and world
around us. “When we focus more on our digital lives rather than the
individuals we are with; we are not only giving off the impression that
we do not care about what they have to say, we are also letting valuable
and meaningful moments pass us by,” explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez a New
York City based neuropsychologist and teaching faculty at Columbia
University. She suggests putting the phone down and even going cell free
twice a week.
Give it a try and see how cutting down on your phone use can also cut down on the ugly.
About the doctors:
Dr.
Richard J. Samperisi, DC, of Miami, Florida, is a New York Native who
completed his Doctoral studies at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia.
His post-doctoral education focuses on functional medicine and clinical
nutrition.
Dr.
John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board-certified plastic
surgeon and best selling author. A graduate of Stanford University and
The University of Cincinnati Medical College, he received his formal
training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at
Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Connect with
him via twitter @JohnZannisMD or his website www.zannisplasticsurge ry.com
Dr.
Kaleroy (Kally) Papantoniou is a Cosmetic Dermatologist, Board
Certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She is also a clinical
instructor at Mount Sinai Health Center in New York City. Connect with
Dr. Papantoniou via twitter @DrPapantoniou or her website www.DrPapantoniou.com
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