How can Reducing Screen Time Help You Lose Weight?

Technology has advanced in a way where we cannot go about out every day without using one. Whether it is for entertainment, making certain tasks easier, or tracking your progress when exercising, technology has undeniably become a necessity.

In some cases, smartphones are never away from their owners. It would be in our homes, workplaces, vehicles, pockets, and purses. Although it does help us stay connected to the world beyond our reach, have you ever considered how much time you spend in front of a screen versus how much time you spend with the family and friends around you? As helpful as they may be, hours spent on an electronic device can become a problem, especially for someone who wants to be healthier.

There are various benefits to cutting down the hours you spend in front of a screen.

• More time is allotted for playing and exploring.

Exploring and discovering more things about the world and your surroundings is an important part of life. It is the perfect opportunity for you to discover hobbies that involve your imagination. Go out and encourage your family to explore different places such as parks, museums, and more. If you are a parent, spend time with your children to socialize and aid them in their journey to discovering new things about themselves. Time away from your screen is time for your creativity.

• Improve your overall mood.

We all know that the internet and media are full of news about anything and everything, including the tragedies of life around the world. Not only can this bad news affect us negatively, sometimes the smallest things may influence the way we think. We’d get envious of others’ achievements, compare ourselves to how people look, and more. Stepping off from an environment that brings attention to the smallest of details, even if it’s good or bad, can bring symptoms of depression and anxiety that will cause us to isolate ourselves from others. Engage in social and creative activities that could improve our overall focus and satisfaction.

• Most of all, improve your physical health and aid you in your weight loss journey.

Taking time away from electronics give you more time for healthy activities. You’d have more time to prepare healthy food, be free to do a workout, and many more. Studies have shown that being off electronics for an hour before bed can immensely help with getting a well-rested sleep. When you’re well-rested, you wake up the next day with the energy and motivation to stretch and go for a jog. When you’re distracted by a screen, you are more likely to snack and spend long periods of time sitting idle.

In the end, being more present in the real-life is a lot more important than any device. Connecting with our friends, families, and neighbours helps ward off symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Keeping our attention on a small glowing box makes us miss out on the real joys of life. By being there for the people around us, perhaps we’d realize there are far more beautiful and enjoyable things in life outside of a buzzing device.