Importance of Self-Care in the Digital Age
How many hours a day do you use technology? You’re even using it right now. While technology makes it easier to connect and communicate, it can also have a negative impact on your mind and body if you use it too often.
But we get it — it’s just not possible to completely cut the phones, computers, and other electronic devices. However, it’s important to take at least a few hours out of each day to unplug and reset your mind and body.
Continue reading to learn about the benefits of powering down your devices and powering back up with chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture in Bend.
Relieves Stress
When you take your work home with you, your brain doesn’t get any downtime. Try to take some time off work-related technology when you get home to reduce stress. Taking a walk, reading a book, or doing a hobby can all ease these symptoms.
Getting a massage is a great relaxation technique. Massage therapy has been found to physically decrease stress hormones like cortisol and increase feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin and dopamine. Plus, your massage therapist in Bend uses techniques to relieve the physical symptoms of stress, like muscle knots.
Acupuncture is one more form of therapy that can help alleviate stress. This treatment uses hair-size needles to stimulate your nervous system and reset the body. It also releases hormones that encourage euphoria and relaxation.
Supports Mental Health
The FOMO (fear of missing out) and comparison that comes with social media can cause feelings of loneliness, jealousy, and more. Research even shows that people with heavy technology usage are more likely to experience sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression.
It can help to set time limits on individual apps and intentionally focus on daily gratitude. Plugging back into reality can support your mental health.
Improves Sleep Quality
Blue light from your electronic devices has been linked to decreased serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones your body needs for sleep. Reducing your usage about 2 hours before bed can help your body realize it’s time to wind down.
Massage therapy also encourages deeper rest. This effect not only occurs because of the hormones released during your session, but it also is because massage slows your heart rate and gives you time to completely step away from the stressors of everyday life.
Boosts Your Physical Health
It may not be the first thing that comes to your mind, but technology drastically affects your body. The way you usually hold your phone causes muscle strain in your neck and shoulders, which is better known as “text neck.”
Text neck results in aches, stiffness, soreness, and spinal damage. Not to mention, bending over a keyboard or poor posture sitting at your desk can compress your nerves, leading to seemingly unrelated issues like headaches and tingling in your arms and legs.
While looking up and stepping away from your devices can reduce this impact, you need something more. That’s where massage therapy and chiropractic care in Bend comes in. Chiropractic care restores proper alignment and relieves pressure on your spine. Massage therapy in Bend also releases tension in the neck and shoulders to help you feel lighter and looser even after your first visit.
Even though you can’t give up technology, you can reduce its effect on your mind, body, and spirit with the best chiropractic care in Bend. Come in for a visit for an individualized plan to help you feel your best.