Move to disconnect

Excessive use of digital devices can be addictive, with very negative consequences for mental health, personal relationships and work life. Research shows that physical activity can both prevent and help overcome these addictions.

Job; keep in touch with friends; quick access to information; Shopping or entertainment are just some of the ways we use the Internet and electronic devices we use every day. However, in some cases, use develops into addiction. Convenient to move around to disconnect.

Researchers at the United Brain Association, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for research into brain and mental health problems and disorders, explain that when something good happens to us, our brain releases substances that make us feel good. One of these substances is dopamine.

“The biological purpose of this process is to associate a positive event with a pleasant feeling, thereby motivating us to seek out that event in the future. This pleasure and reward response can be triggered by positive physical experiences such as food, exercise, or sex. But it may also be caused by more complex psychological mechanisms, such as social interaction or interaction with digital devices,” they note.

“Over time, the brain builds connections that strengthen the connection between a stimulus and its pleasurable effects. In the case of addiction, these connections become dysfunctional. The brain requires more and more stimulation (drug, social media interaction, etc.) to trigger the release of dopamine. And when the stimulus is absent, the drug addict experiences withdrawal symptoms,” they emphasize.

Irritability and discomfort due to lack of access to technology

Withdrawal is the irritability and discomfort experienced by an addicted person when they are unable to access a device or technology.

In this sense, doctors at the Barcelona Clinic point out that, as with other addictions, people addicted to the Internet show abstinence, tolerance and difficulties in maintaining their normal lives, such as family relationships, academic performance, sports or activities. fun activities with friends.

“Addictive behavior on the Internet is a collection of addictions, not a single addiction. “On the Internet you can become addicted to many things: compulsive shopping, online gambling and even the social sphere,” says Maria Angustias Salmeron Ruiz, specialist in the department of pediatrics and adolescents at the Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.

“Each of these behaviors has different health effects and different risks. The problem today is that we are seeing an increase in calls among adults, children and adolescents,” adds the pediatrician.

Physical activity and digital addiction

“In our society, digital addiction is not perceived as something dangerous,” warns Daniel Collado Mateo, a professor at the Center for Sports Studies at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid.

Collado is the principal investigator of a project entitled “Physical Activity Assessment to Minimize the Effects of Digital Addiction in Young People,” funded by the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation of the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

The researcher explains that the consequences of digital addiction are very varied.

“Our data shows that about 38% of men and 50% of women use smartphones excessively. To get an idea of ​​the relevance of this data, it can be mentioned that in a study published in 2017, the excessive use of smartphones among Spanish adults was around 12.5% ​​among middle-aged people similar to our respondents (around 25 years old). ). years),” he notes.

Problems of digital addiction

“It must be clarified that online betting addiction is not the same as social media or video game addiction as each has different consequences. But generally speaking, digital additions are problematic on many levels. On the one hand, they often affect mental health, causing problems related to anxiety, insomnia or depression, as well as difficulties with attention and concentration. They also affect the social sphere, where addiction can lead to the severance and disappearance of direct and real social ties. The digital world is replacing the real world, and virtual communication is taking over face-to-face communication. On the other hand, digital addiction is somehow associated with a sedentary lifestyle, so it can also lead to problems associated with this behavior, such as an increased tendency to be overweight, obese and other diseases,” says this researcher.

The main goal of the study, carried out at the Rey Juan Carlos University, is to analyze the relationship between physical activity and digital addiction, but it also takes into account aspects such as the age, gender and socio-educational level of the participants.

In this sense, their data shows that young people are more likely to be addicted to video games and social media.

Likewise, the researchers found that men were more likely to have higher levels of addiction to video games and online gambling, while women were more likely to have higher levels of addiction to social media and smartphones. However, so far it has not been possible to find clear links between socio-economic level and various digital addictions.

The less physical activity, the more addictions

Data collected in this study shows that people who engage in less physical activity are more likely to develop addictions related to mobile phones and social media.

One of the main reasons explaining this is based on the relationship between physical activity and self-esteem. “Self-esteem is a fundamental variable in understanding addiction. Data from our project shows that higher physical activity is associated with greater self-esteem, and higher self-esteem predicts a lower risk of addiction,” says Collado.

Physical activity prevents digital addiction

Thus, physical activity can serve as a preventative measure for digital addictions, but also appears to be an effective strategy for combating them once you have fallen into them. “There is previous research that shows that physical activity for 30 to 60 minutes three or more times a week for more than eight weeks in a row can help reduce the risk of developing these addictions and improve a person’s well-being when suffering from addiction.” addiction,” says the professor.

If you suffer from any kind of digital addiction, Collado recommends seeing a psychologist. “Exercise and psychological therapy are complementary tools that can improve self-esteem, quality of life, life satisfaction and reduce anxiety and depression,” he emphasizes. All these variables influence the emergence and development of digital addiction.