It is widely accepted that spending too long on the internet or on the computer can’t be good for health. It affects your posture and eyesight, but did you also know that spending too much time online could potentially lead to you being more prone at catching the cold or the flu? As it turns out it’s possible, thanks to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Swansea University.
According to one of the researchers Phil Reed, it seems that internet addicts are 30% more prone at getting sick simply because they don’t go out enough, which also means that catching germs from strangers, friends, or family and building up an immunity or tolerance to it is harder, thus leading them to getting sick more often.
According to Reed, “Those who spend a long time alone on the Internet experience reduced immune function as a result of simply not having enough contact with others and their germs.” Reed also adds that spending too much time on the internet can lead to depression, sleep deprivation, and loneliness.
He also suggested that these addicts will encounter great stress when they are disconnected from the net. Professor Robert Truzoli from the Milan University in Italy adds that it does not matter what the activity is either. “It does not seem to matter what you use it for, if you use it too much, you are more susceptible to illness. However, the mechanisms responsible for you getting ill may differ, depending on how you use the net.”
So if you feel that maybe you’ve been spending a bit too long online, perhaps it’s time to take a break.