Face Yoga

Tech-Induced Tension: Gadgets Impact on Women’s Health and Appearance

Written by Valeria ZhyvotovaUpdated on 07 Aug 2024
Face Yoga

Tech-Induced Tension: Gadgets Impact on Women’s Health and Appearance

Written by Valeria Zhyvotova.Updated at 07 Aug 2024

Key takeaways:

  • Some 49% of women spend over five hours each day using gadgets, with 27% exceeding eight hours of screen time.
  • Due to excessive gadget use, 88% of women admit they have suffered neck and shoulder pain, 95% have noticed signs of premature aging, and 94% admit they are unhappy with their posture.
  • In an effort to improve their posture, 83% of women perform stretching exercises, while 42% get massages to help their muscles relax.
  • Likewise, 54% of women say spending time away from the computer has improved their appearance, with 54% stating it relieves muscle tension, 46% admitting it reduces eye strain, and 27% stating it enhances their complexion.
Technology can do a whole world of good for our health and appearance—apps that help us to keep track of our routines, the ability to find the best products at the best prices, and effortless access to expert advice and opinions—but it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Whether getting through the workday, communicating with friends, or watching our favorite shows, there are few aspects of our lives that technology hasn’t touched. Luvly and Etalon surveyed 1,908 women on their use of technology and the impact excessive use has on their health and appearance. The results show that excessive gadget usage is linked to poor posture and premature aging.

Screen queens: Are women overusing technology?

Some 49% of women now spend more than five hours each day with their eyes fixed on a screen. Likewise, despite experts agreeing that adults should limit their screen time to no more than two hours outside of work-related activities, 27% of women regularly use technology for more than eight hours each day.
You might argue that our long working hours are the problem… How can you possibly use technology less if you’re required to sit at a computer for seven hours to earn a living? It’s a good question. Yet, many women aren’t even making use of their time away from the office to digital detox. In fact, 30% of women spend less than a week away from their computers each year.

Digital deterioration: The toll of our addiction to gadgets

Not only is excessive technology use linked to all sorts of health problems—from obesity and eye strain to depression and insomnia—but it’s also to blame for our terrible posture. With 94% of women admitting they slouch or hunch over while using gadgets, musculoskeletal issues are a common side effect of technology overuse.
These bad habits, especially when combined with long periods of inactivity, cause muscles to fatigue and tension to build. As our body loses the ability to hold itself up properly, poor posture becomes our default even when we’re away from our screens. In the short term, bad posture is likely to cause neck and shoulder pain—a discomfort that 88% of women currently deal with. However, with time, it can lead to spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders, and a potbelly.
It isn’t just your joints and muscles that will suffer if you use technology to excess. It’s also highly likely to have serious negative effects on your skin too, with 95% of women admitting they have noticed signs of premature aging. Some 64% of women say their skin had started sagging around their jawline and neck, while 57% have noticed wrinkles on their face, and 39% have spotted visible lines on their neck and shoulders.

Rise, align, and shine: Overcoming the effects of bad posture

Given the wide range of effects slouching can have on our bodies, it’s no surprise that just 6% of women are entirely satisfied with their current posture. Some 39% of women, on the other hand, are dissatisfied and seeking ways to improve it. Slouching is an easy habit to form, but an incredibly difficult one to break—so how can women go about correcting the way they hold themselves and reversing the damage it has already done?
For 83% of women, stretching is the go-to exercise to improve posture. After a day spent slouched over, stretching exercises put your muscles to work, relieve tension, reduce stiffness, and strengthen your body over time. When that doesn’t work? Some 42% of women opt for a massage to help their muscles relax instead.
Some 54% of women believe that spending time away from computers helped to improve their appearance. Not only can unplugging restore your posture, but also reduce eye strain, uplift your mental wellbeing, and enhance your sleep quality—so if you have concerns about your health, perhaps it’s time to take a step back from the screen.
Some 54% and 35% of women say they noticed reduced muscle tension and improved posture after turning off their tech. Likewise, 48% noticed their eyes had become less red and tired looking, while 27% reported having brighter and more radiant skin. Forget about miracle creams and TikTok trends—All you need is a digital detox to be a picture of perfect health! Methodology: To create this study, Luvly and Etalon surveyed 1,908 women. The ages ranged from 18-25 (34%), 26-29 (21%), 30-39 (24%), 40-49 (14%), 50+ (7%). Participants were asked a range of questions such as:
  • How many hours during a day do you averagely spend using tech gadgets (computer/phone)?
  • Do you often find yourself hunching/slouching over a computer or phone?
  • Do you experience discomfort with your neck/upper shoulder area?
  • Do you feel satisfied with your posture?
  • What do you do to solve this issue?
  • Do you notice any signs of premature aging?
  • How much time per year do you spend away from a computer? (vacationing, traveling, detoxicating, etc)
  • When away from a computer (vacationing, travelling, detoxicating, etc) do you notice any improvements in your appearance?
  • What changes in your appearance do you notice when away from gadgets?