The Netflix effect: Is it damaging your body?

Aldina Braganza

The human body can be best described as one of the most complex and intelligent units on this planet. It’s an amazing biological marvel, evolved to detailed precision giving you the opportunity every day to choose a healthy life.

It is because your body allows that you can perceive the world through your senses. You can enjoy the greens of the rainy season, hear the chirping of birds, relish the taste of food you eat, laugh at funny jokes, hug the ones you love, cry when you are sad, feel pain and hurt when you are unwell.

Every sense organ has its own set of receptor that is further aligned to communicate with the cells in the brain to help one make sense of one’s world. Perception, attention, memory, emotions and conditioning are all a package of this functioning.

The glitch about one’s bodies, however, is that it will function in the way it is treated. If you abuse your body in any manner there will be consequences like obesity and other lifestyle diseases. If on the other hand, you decide to treat your body like a temple, worship and take care of all its need then be assured that it will get you through some tough times.

 There are no shortcuts when it comes to the body’s health. It is dependent on each of its parts and the violation of even one organ will compromise its functioning. Often people think that abusing the body involves extreme behaviours. Unfortunately that is not the entire truth. An unhealthy body also involves a lack of maintenance. Like a car, your body requires constant servicing otherwise it will

break down.

Additionally, as humans we go through various developmental stages. At every stage we face different challenges. Our body which is constantly changing is also constantly growing and ageing. Carl Jung speaks of these challenges and ageing in the metaphors of season. The morning like a new young child goes through most of its growth, from its structure to its size, every muscle, fibre and organ transforming so that it can be reproductive. At about age 25 you enter the afternoon of life. You are the most productive during these years: you raise children, have a career and develop a strong identity.

As the years go on the body slowly begins its degenerative process. The brain cells that were once active now start ageing. The strong muscles become weak, the healthy organs begin to grow old and we reach the evening of life.

The beauty of your body is that it you can maximise every season of your life. You can slow down your ageing process if you maintain it adequately. This maintenance involves a lot of care. What you eat, your movements and flexibly, mental stimulation are crucial aspects of longevity.

An interesting thing that I found happening to a lot of people amidst the COVID 19 lockdown is that they turned their attention to screen activities thereby compromising on body maintenance.

Binge watching television or online series that have captured the fancy of many households is robbing people of valuable time that they will never ever get back.

Young children spend a lot of time gaming both online and offline, and their recreational benefits that come through play and interactions get minimised.

It’s not just children that are glued to their mobiles and computers, but adults and older folk seeking an escape in front of a television screen, binging on Netflix or other such alternatives. Back to back episodes have got a whole generation of viewers hooked on thereby compromising on other chores and basic body movement. 

Glued to their television sets, people spend hours watching and discussing serials, mesmerised by the drama of someone’s creation. They do not realise that they are regressing and even dumbing down their potential. The Netflix effect is real.

 If you or your children are hooked on to this new drug of technology then you need to find a way to unhook yourself.

Health specialists are concerned about this kind of monotonous abuse as it effects overall health. The light from a screen is known to have a direct impact on the circadian rhythm and alertness. Circadian rhythm in turn influences your sleep quality, eating habits, digestion and body temperature. Screen light affects concentration, attention and imagination. Long hours in front of a screen imply a lack of movement, which is cancer to your body. Every hour in front of the screen means you increase your chances of obesity.

Children who watch television shows for long hours have problems with communication and interpersonal relationships.

It is thus important to recognise screen dependency and battle it. Cut down family screen time to not more than one to two hours a day. Use television/screen time wisely so that it is beneficial and not a curse.

(Writer is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and the HOD of psychology at Carmel College for Women)