There is no denying that we live in a world intimately interconnected with screens – it seems that they are truly everywhere these days! Beyond the screen on our phone, many things are going digital, including things that traditionally were paper such as books and magazines, and we even find them embedded in gym floors, refrigerators, and even soda vending machines have screens now!

On one hand, screens have allowed us to do things previous generations would have never thought imaginable. We can send messages across the world within seconds, access infinite amounts of information at our fingertips, design incredible art, run our businesses from anywhere in the world, capture memories and videos, and so much more, all from the palm of our hand!

While technology has its perks, there is definitely no denying that we are also a society that is largely struggling with an addiction to screens. While it can be difficult to avoid them, we’ve also become to an extent reliant upon them. We crave the stimulation we receive from them, reaching for our phone or tablet to keep us entertained and engaged at all times.

We have forgotten what boredom can feel like to a large degree, and sometimes this keeps us disengaged with the present moment and our current surroundings – being sucked into a digital world that keeps our minds occupied. Furthermore, screens often come with additional attributes that keep us wanting to re-engage with them, such as notifications, that have the ability to tap into our curious nature. We want to always be in the know, up to date, and not missing out on anything.

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However, prolonged screen time can take its toll. Afterall, we are still largely the same physical and genetic makeup as our earliest ancestors, and as such, would not have adapted to screen use as they obviously did not exist until recent history. Our eyes are adapted to the tones of solar energy, bringing us energy at the peak of the day, and helping us calm with dimmer tones similar to that of a bonfire or candlelight in the evening as the sun goes down. They are not as adapted to prolonged exposure to “blue light” or the high energy visible light that are produced by digital devices.

Impacts of Prolonged Screen Exposure

While the most obvious impact of prolonged blue light exposure might be the impact to long-term to our eyesight, exhibiting issues such as dry eye syndrome, digital eye strain, or development of myopia or nearsightedness, excessive use of screens can also have broader reaching impacts along the spectrum of our wellbeing, thus leading to an overall feeling of “screen fatigue.”

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According to LiveMore ScreenLess, an organization seeking to create opportunities for young people and educators to lead the way toward balanced, intentional, and effective use of technology, prolonged exposure to screens can also impact us in the following ways:

Social Impacts: While technology allows us to be more connected than ever, it also can have a detrimental effect on our social wellbeing. This is due to the fact we have exposure to people all over the world and can result in us comparing ourselves or lifestyles to those we deem more successful than ourselves, exposure to images and videos associated with violence and conflict, or feelings of loneliness and that one is “missing out.”

Cognitive Impacts: While humans are unique compared to the rest of the animal kingdom in that our brains allow us to rapidly process multitudes of information, we have not quite yet evolved to be able to fully comprehend the vast amount of information available to us or that we interact with on a daily basis. Therefore this can result in overwhelm, difficulty concentrating, or causing an inability to focus for long periods of time.

Physical Impacts: In addition to the impacts to our eyes, our consistent interaction with screens is also having impacts on our bodies. For example, prolonged stimulation can impact our sleep patterns, disrupting our natural circadian rhythms, cause us to be sedentary for prolonged periods as we scroll endlessly through feeds, or being hunched at a desk in front of a computer screen can take a toll on our neck, shoulders, and upper back.

Holistic Habits to Combat Screen Fatigue 

While it is important to be aware of the impact of screens, the reality is that we are likely to continue to have to interact with them on an often daily basis. However, we can develop small habits to help reduce the negative impacts of this prolonged exposure to technology, and develop a balanced and healthy relationship with our screen time. Here are some tips:

1. Set a Timer. We can use technology to our advantage! Most computers, laptops, tablets, and phones all have features already embedded within them that allow us to set timers. Set a timer hourly for prolonged time at your desk to remember to stretch or even drink water to stay hydrated. You can also set limits on how long you are on certain apps to help prevent endless scrolling into the night.

2. Integrate Breathwork and Mindfulness. Build in blocks of time where you take even just 5 to 10 minutes to settle back into your body. Take this time to remove your eyes from the screen and observe the room around you and take note of how you are feeling, what objects catch your eye, and to take several deep breaths. You can also take this time to close your eyes and enter into short meditations, or even journal to help bring yourself back into a state of presence.

3. Take Meetings Outside. If it is accessible to you, opt to take your screen outdoors to take calls or even work. This allows you to get some fresh air and vitamin D versus being huddled indoors in an office. Furthermore, if the meeting does not require you to look at something visually, perhaps opt to take the call while going on a walk to integrate movement into your day.

4. Opt for Paper. Sometimes we have to simply balance our own wellbeing, and this can look like using paper options, such as printing off a short document, for a research project or a work requirement. Opting for the paper option can help to reduce the time intensely spent staring at a screen and help reduce fatigue. You can still make steps to make this sustainable if you are feeling guilty about use of paper – use recycled paper, only print documents that are short and require less paper, and use black and white ink versus color when you can!

Calling Upon Herbal Allies to Combat Screen Fatigue 

As is continually evident, the plants always have their place in providing support to our wellbeing, even if we find ourselves in worlds we never might have previously dreamed of, such as the modern digital reality. We can weave in use of herbs to help us address some of the more detrimental impacts that screen use can have on our physical and emotional bodies.

Herbal Pick-Me-Ups. Often synonymous with office culture in general, but more so relied upon to help us “get going” in the morning or to conquer the “afternoon slump,” we tend to turn to stimulants such as coffee or caffeine to help us cope. However, with the overwhelm our bodies are experiencing with the day to day or information overload or multitasking required of us, this may just be a bit too much. Instead, we can work with herbs that give gentle boosts of energy without making us jittery, such as Cacao or Schizandra Berry.

Eye Care. There are herbs that have an affinity for the eyes, helping to reduce the impacts of blue light strain, alleviate symptoms of dry eyes, and help restore damage. Work with an eyewash or poultice of Calendula to help sooth the eyes after a long day of staring at a screen, or Bilberry, which can help strengthen the retinas and capillaries in the eyes.

Concentration and Focus Support. When we find ourselves chronically distracted or unable to hold a long attention span while working with screens, we can work with herbs that can help bring us into a better state of focus and move us through the brain fog. Work with brain-health supporting herbs such as Ginkgo or Rosemary to help keep the synapses firing!

Nervous System Tonics. We tend to rave about these in every post, but let’s face it, we live in a world that is constantly intense on our nervous systems, and therefore it is important that we continually work on regulation and support. This especially applies in the digital world which can easily put us into a state of dysregulation or contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, or even depression. Work with herbal allies such as Passionflower, Lavender, Tulsi, Oatstraw, or Lemon Balm to help alleviate fried nerves and restore a sense of calm to the mind and body.

Thank you for joining us this July, dear readers. And remember, we are in the throes of summer! Let’s challenge ourselves to set down the screens and go dance in the sunshine, kiss the leaves of the trees with their vibrant green leaves, and jubilantly express our love and gratitude to nature.

Nature is teeming with energy and life, and asks us to join her, let’s answer the call!

Resources: 

• Howerton EyeCenter. “Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Your Eyes.” Howertoneye.com. 2025. Retrieved from: https://www.howertoneye.com/effects-of-excessive-screen-time-on-your-eyes/
• LiveMore ScreenLess. “Dimensions of Digital Wellbeing.” LiveMore ScreenLess. 2025. Retrieved from: https://livemorescreenless.org/digital-wellbeing/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21385973440&gbraid=0AAAAAqvmNAIvZtsRrMCD3998GjZqHz2Co&gclid=CjwKCAjwvO7CBhAqEiwA9q2YJRurynxmcZ_ww22-zmXsgJlavVzYXnnB43ynIg2yu0hrzPJJzSHkyhoCBaUQAvD_BwE#