Digital Detox: What Is Dopamine Effect? How Constant Screen Time Impacts Mental Health

(MENAFN- AsiaNet News) With this time of virtual living, screens are ubiquitous-smartphones, laptops, tablets, and television as well. Technology has certainly made life easier, but there is a price tag on mental health too that comes with all the screen time. Dopamine, which is one of the brain chemicals that governs motivation, pleasure, and addiction, is one of the primary methods through which it accomplishes this. Let us learn more about how screen time does this to your brain and how to digitally detox.

What is the Dopamine Effect?

Dopamine is a chemical in the brain, or the "feel-good" drug, associated with reward and pleasure. Whenever you do something you like-like having a fabulous meal or completing a game-dopamine is released from the brain, and you're left feeling satisfied and energized.

But other activities like scrolling social media, gaming, or even watching TV release dopamine in seconds, and in doing so, become addictive. This sets the stage for a condition of dopamine overload when the brain becomes accustomed to instant reward and is unable to cope with slow, rewarding activities like reading or one-on-one conversations.

How Constant Screen Time Impacts Mental Health

A. Increased Anxiety & Stress

Excessive screen time, and particularly social media, will result in comparison stress-endless comparison with others. Cyber wars, keeping in contact, and negative news can also increase tensions.

B. Less Concentration & Productivity

Endless scrolling and notifications may decrease concentration. Scientific studies have proved that extensive screen use makes it difficult to concentrate on anything and decreases productivity because of frequent interruptions.

C. Disturbance in Sleep

Screens release blue light, which affects melatonin, the sleep hormone. It causes poor quality sleep, insomnia, and tiredness even after sleeping.

D. Dopamine Fatigue & Low Motivation

As the cause that screens offer instant reward and entertainment, the brain might not be in a position to wait for rewards. This could lead to low motivation towards activities in the distant future such as studying, exercise, or learning a skill.

Signs You May Need a Digital Detox

Restlessness or agitation without looking at your phone

Having trouble keeping your mind on things for hours

Less face-to-face interaction

Poor sleep and ongoing fatigue

Easily being bored unless you're on a screen

How to Do a Digital Detox & Better Mental Health

A. Establish Boundaries On Screen Time

Utilize features on phones such as screen time tracking to establish boundaries.

Break every hour-take a five-minute break from screens.

Don't scroll. Scroll social media neither when. waking. up. nor. right. before. sleeping.

B. Get Off the Screen & Do Something Offline

Read a book, paint, cook, exercise, or walk outside.

Prioritize in-person contact with friends and family.

Begin a screen-free hobby-like playing a musical instrument or gardening.

C. Improve Sleeping Habit

Decrease screen time at least 1 hour. before. sleeping. to. sleep. better.

.Use. night. mode. or. blue-light. filters. on. devices. at. night.

Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or journaling.

D. Practice Mindful Screen Use

Unsubscribe from hateful subscriptions and clean up the virtual space.

Designate "no-phone zones" for dinner or social gatherings.

Enforce mindful, intentional screen time rather than mindless scrolling.

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