Did you know that Americans spend almost 3 hours a day on their phones? I wonder if this ever increasing screen time is positive, negative or just a neutral add to our lives. The younger generation probably thinks this is a stupid question but, for those of us a little older, I think it is a question we routinely ask ourselves as we while away the hours engaged or entranced by our latest game app find or web search. Enjoyable pastimes and hobbies that engage any of our senses are usually a good thing but when does it become a problem? The first question we usually ask about addiction is whether a behavior is hurting anyone; probably not the case with screen time although there are lists of all the negative things too much screen time can do to our mental and physical health.
I know there are all manner of interesting and exciting computer games out there but I have stuck to a few basics, so far. My primary game apps are Solitaire, Sudoku and Jigsaw Puzzles; the latter of which has become an addiction. I wonder, is the experience of fixing puzzles on the screen any different than assembling them at a table? I don’t think so given the sad shape my mom and I were in hobbling to bed at 1:00 am after completing a puzzle the other night.
Although most of my other screen time is educational, a concern I have for myself is how much time it is taking from more productive activities although I’m still pretty productive. A bigger concern I have is its tendency to lead to a more sedentary lifestyle which is not good for anyone. I recently heard someone quote their physical therapist who said: “We don’t wear out, we rest out!” It is sad to say but I am certain my increased screen time in retirement has compromised my physical activity. So what to do? Other than white knuckling it through total withdrawal I am trying to limit my time on these apps to just several hours a day. So far, so good but it doesn’t help my night owl ways when the new batch of pretty picture puzzles downloads to my iPhone every day at midnight.
To counter all this, I have signed up for personal training twice a week and have a new exercise bike I am planning to use at least several times a week if Paul ever gets it assembled. Of course, the TV is another source of screen time I won’t even get into as I view the deepening indentation in my easy chair. I am “already toast” on this front.