Why Stop what nature gave us?
Bridging the gap between AI and Physical wellness
Putting the human touch to AI in this day and age is something of a massive area of focus for a lot of employers. How about humanising AI and employees physical literacy? Bridge the gap!
As the demands of life intensifies we are loosing the impact of our physical literacy, why? Because we spend an average of 2 hours scrolling on social media per day, on our phones and in front of the computer screen which adds on 5 hours, thats a whopping 7 hours in a static position starring at a blue screen.
We all know this right? What are we doing about it? It would seem not a lot, as obesity rates have reached all new highs, we find it hard to ignore fast food on a regular basis and our snack picking at the desk on high sugar food has created bad habits such as sugar dependency. Fake sugar highs cause untold damage to our liver, blood sugars and physiological adaptation (habits).
We also all know that time spent scrolling could be replaced with time spent moving. Historically, it was human nature to spend our time walking, running, being agile as life demanded it, now our cultural norms demands us to spend average of 4 hours plus for smartphone users according to RescueTime. Our eyes are getting way too much action with the rong type of light, the blue light of a screen instead of natural light of the great outdoors.
There is no doubt that AI has revolutionized our industries, reached new highs in profits seen major corporations expand across the globe and it is not stopping there, but why stop what nature gave us. Our bodies need to move, we need a stimulation other than what we get from our phones. Releasing positive hormones such as serotonin, a mood boosting hormones helping a person to feel calm and focused. A continuous dip in serotonin has been linked to depression.
Exposure to ultra violet B radiation which creates vitamin D – contributes to healthy bone density, linked to potentially treating rheumatoid arthritis, systematic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease and Thyroiditis.
How much is enough? – according to WHO getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your limbs and face 2-3 times per week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D boosting benefits of the sun.
Tips on reducing screen time- most android and smartphones have a time limiter on the phone, set a goal less than what you would typically use and stick to it.
Screen time block - block screen time for certain times during the day. i.e. the morning, evening, weekend times when off work.
Leave your phone at the desk – when you get up to go to the toilet, get a coffee, or lunch time, leave your phone behind you, if you are only gone for 10 minutes there’s no need to bring your phone with you, give yourself a break, use the time to move, think and de-compress.
Tips to getting moving more during your work day -Replace your snacking time with getting up and walking to get a drink. Getting up every 20-30 minutes improves blood flow, mobility for the joints.
We know only too well work can be stressful enough without filling our brains with some of the nonsense that is peppering our social media accounts these days. get up, get moving and see the natural light!
Niamh Buffini
Buff Performance CEO