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The Apple Watch and the Fitbit are currently some of the hottest birthday and holiday presents on the market. Not only are these smartwatches seen as status symbols, but they are also useful for health and fitness purposes, have many of the capabilities of smart devices, and can make it easier to find your phones, keys, or other lost items. And best of all? They’re right on your wrist!
That said, for as much as you may love your smartwatch, there’s much to learn about the potentially harmful impacts of EMF radiation from your favorite devices like cellphones, laptops, and smartwatches. As far as smartphone radiation protection goes, read my article on protection tips for cellphone radiation.
People are starting to wonder if it’s safe to use these gadgets that attach directly to your body, even with the radiation that they possible emit.
Do smartwatches emit EMF radiation? Your smartwatch does emit EMF radiation but it’s unlikely that it’ll cause you significant harm anytime soon. That said, there’s a variety of smartwatch radiation health risks that still result from your use and protection tips that can prevent these symptoms.
Smartwatch Radiation Health Risks
1. Nausea and Headaches
With EMF radiations have come reports that individuals are experiencing symptoms that are commonly associated with radiation. If you’re a 24/7 smartwatch wearer and tend to find yourself prone to nausea and headaches, these symptoms could be the direct result of radiation.
2. Sleep, Memory, and Mood-Related Issues
Furthermore, individuals have also reported that they have experienced insomnia in relation to their use of smartwatches. This is common with any consistent use of technology because it can result in reduced concentration and lowered productivity. The largest problems occur when users fail to disconnect before bedtime.
As a result of sleep issues, memory problems and mood swings have also been reported. Due to the blue light used in technology like smartwatches, laptops, cellphones, televisions, etc., it can be difficult for the brain to shut down after using these items.
If you find yourself lying awake at night, strive to shut down all technology 2-3 hours before heading to bed. Engage in quiet activities like reading to give your brain a rest.
3. Body Dysmorphia
A health risk that often flies under the radar with smart devices is body dysmorphia. There’s been an increase in the number of individuals who overeat due to constantly being distracted by the notifications and information accessible right in their hand (or in this case on their wrist).
When you’re being flooded by notifications and information right to your wrist, you’re less likely to notice everything else going on around you. If you’re sitting at a table and eating, you may miss your body’s cues that it’s full. This often results in overeating and overindulging, which may result in unnecessary weight gain.
4. Distractions
While being connected may seem like a benefit initially, smartwatches remove you from the present, even more so than your phone does. While it’s not socially acceptable to remove a phone from your pocket during an important dinner or other specific social situations, a watch is attached to your wrist and allows you to be constantly distracted.
Being connected is one of the largest selling points of a smartwatch, but at the same time, it can be a significant drawback. Not being present wherever you are can have a real impact on your real human relationships.
Smartwatch Radiation Protection Tips
Protecting yourself against the negative impacts of a smartwatch EMF radiation comes down to knowing how and when to use your smartwatch safely.
If you want to read about radiation from apple watches in particular, here is my article on apple watch radiation protection.
Here’s what you should know when it comes down to protecting yourself and your health.
1. Don’t use your smartwatch when it isn’t needed
When you first get your smartwatch, you’ll probably be pumped to use it whenever you can. In fact, a lot of these companies get sales by showing you the benefits of using it 24/7. Do you want to track your waking and sleeping activity?
Well, guess what! Your new watch can now do that. However, limiting your usage of your watch will be key in ensuring that you don’t suffer as many harmful effects from EMF radiation.
When you’re sleeping is a great time to take a break. There’s no real reason you need to track anything in your body at this time, you’ll be able to charge it, and let’s face it, it’ll probably be much more comfortable to sleep without something restricting your wrist.
You can also benefit from not using it as much when you’re at home, when you’re not as active or when it’s a weekend. Be mindful that you’re using it when you really need to. If it isn’t actively serving a purpose, give your body a break from it.
2. Turn off your watch at work and social event
One of the biggest health issues with smartwatches is that you feel constantly distracted. If you want to break this cycle and start feeling present again, it needs to be an active choice on your part. When you’re at work, decide that you’re only going to focus on work.
When you walk into a part, be at that party and truly focus on who you’re talking to. Decide that you won’t receive calls for the time being and that you’ll eliminate the radiation from the Bluetooth connection. It’s a win-win!
3. Keep your smartwatch in airplane mode
If you don’t want to turn off your phone entirely, put it in airplane mode. Airplane mode disables all of the cellular and Bluetooth connections of your watch.
While you’ll still have the primary off-line functions of your watch, you’ll be taking the radiation down to the next level. Consider putting your watch in airplane mode when you don’t need any notifications or messaging capabilities.
4. Use a case to help protect against radiation
For example, this memonizerSMARTWATCH casing claims to help protect Apple Watch users from the negative effects of EMF radiation. However, be wary, there is a lack of data in terms of test results to prove the effectiveness of this product.
As smartwatches are worn directly on the body for a prolonged period of time, the electromagnetic fields and radiation have an impact through the symptoms above. By adding this additional protection (while also reducing your use and time wearing it), you put your health first.
5. Don’t become dependent on your watch
Most of us are probably at a little bit guilty of being dependent on the technology that helps us connect with loved ones. However, if you feel like it’s controlling you more than it’s helping you, it’s time to disconnect.
If you can no longer be productive because your life is constantly filled with scrolling or games, then discontinuing use of your watch for at least a little while may be wise. Practice going without it for a couple of hours, then a couple of days, then a couple of weeks at a time.
They say that three weeks without a vice officially breaks a habit! While it may seem like a waste not to wear a device you paid so much for, look at it as an investment in your health. It’s about knowing when you should be using your watch and knowing when you should go without it.
Final thoughts
While the efficiency and convenience of smartwatches are abundant, there are a variety of health risks that accompany this type of technology. Due to EMF radiation, it’s not always smart to utilize your smartwatch in all situations.
Heading to bed? Going into a work meeting? Having dinner with family? These are all situations that you can do without your watch in, and you’re looking at sleeping better, having fewer headaches, improving your memory, being in a better mood, eating healthy, and being present in what you really need to be!
For all of these reasons (and more), EMF radiation and smartwatches is an interaction to know about and be conscious of. Reduce your use and use a case that helps to protect your body. All that extra work will improve your health!