Here's Exactly How Much Screen Time A Neuroscientist Allows Themselves Per Day

Person textingBig news for me personally ― recently, clinical sleep expert Dr. Michael Gradisar told HuffPost UK: “Data does not support the recommendation that people avoid screens in the hour before bed.”Sounds amazing. But even Dr Gradisar admits that screens aren’t the best things to have in our bedrooms; expert after expert has said they may harm sleep, while researchers think too much screen time might harm our health and mood.And neuroscientist, speaker, and author of The DOSE Effect, TJ Power, set to host a workshop at Cheltenham Science Festival this June, told us that “screens overload the brain with dopamine and over time, that dulls our motivation, attention, and even our sense of joy.” So, we thought we’d ask him how he approaches screen time. Power sticks to max three hours a day “I personally aim for a maximum of three hours a day, and I stick to it pretty religiously,” the expert tells us.He also finds it helpful to find tools that block distracting apps “and make sure I’m being intentional with my time.“The key isn’t just how much screen time you have,” he adds. “It’s when and why you are using it. If the screen is draining your energy, stealing your attention, or replacing real connection, something needs to shift.” While for young people, the neuroscientist says too much screen time can affect their confidence, focus, and even the development of their social skills, Power says that it can present differently among grown-ups. “For adults, it’s often more subtle, like losing interest in things you used toenjoy, struggling to be present with loved ones, or feeling constantly ‘on edge.’”Too much screen time might be making you lonely, tooWe’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how excessive social media use may be linked to a higher risk of isolation.So perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised to read that Power thinks loneliness is a sign you could be spending too much time online. “We are more connected than ever, but less socially fulfilled,” he writes.“Screens can create the illusion of connection without the chemistry of it.” It’s not so much about the strict number of hours you, personally, should aim for (experts disagree about the exact figure all the time). It’s more about the effect your screen time has on your life ― are you sleeping well, socialising enough, and feeling relaxed and present? If not, lowering your screen time may prove helpful.Related...I'm A Sleep Scientist – Screens Before Bed Aren't Always TerribleI Kicked My Screen Addiction And Fell Back In Love With Reading – Here's HowIs A Bit Of Screen Exposure Really That Bad For Babies?

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