Internet Addiction

We live in an age where the use of digital technologies has become an inseparable part of our daily routines. Logging off from social media has started to feel like losing touch with reality. Even our overall well-being has now been closely tied to how we engage with the digital world. While using social media, we are often driven by the urge of one more swipe, one more like, and suddenly one more minute turns into hours. This loop that we have formed ourselves appears like a simple habit, but for many, it has become something more dangerous: Internet Addiction Disorder. Fortunately, addictions are manageable and treatable. 

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic brain disorder, including behavioural (non-substance) addictions. People struggling with Internet Addiction Disorder spend a lot of time online, but beyond that, they show some other symptoms as well. These can include an irresistible urge to be on the internet. Though they are aware of the negative consequences of being on the internet for too long, they struggle to hold back their urges despite several attempts. They are so much immersed in the internet that they neglect responsibilities at school, work, home or other settings. These responsibilities gradually fall lower on their priority list. 

When people affected by Internet Addiction Disorder go offline, they often feel restless, anxious or irritable and experience intense emotional discomfort. They happen to feel as if something really important is missing. Most of the time, the internet acts as a digital escape from stress, sadness, boredom or loneliness. Instead of addressing these emotions directly, they rather get engaged in online spaces again. This gives them temporary relief but does harm in the long run. If they rely on the internet to feel happy or satisfied, then over time, they need to spend more hours online to feel the same level of satisfaction.

However, like any other addiction, Internet Addiction can be treated. While therapy, support groups, and setting screen time limits are common and effective approaches, there’s another powerful remedy that often goes overlooked: Exercise. Exercise has the potential to actually reverse internet addiction's damage to the brain. When we exercise, our brain releases dopamine, a chemical that makes us feel good and keeps us motivated. This is the same chemical that gets overstimulated with excessive internet use. 

Unlike excessive use of the internet, exercise helps to maintain the dopamine at healthy and balanced levels. Such balance reduces the cravings that trap people in addictive cycles. Exercise is not just good for our body but it's also a powerful tool for healing the brain from the damage caused by internet addiction. Beyond just improving moods, exercise actually helps the brain heal and grow. Activities like running, jump rope, cycling, swimming, yoga encourage the creation of new brain cells, especially in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a key area that is responsible for memory and learning. 

Exercises also strengthen the connection between brain cells. This makes communication in the brain faster and more efficient.  In conclusion, while the internet is a vital part of modern life, excessive use can lead to addiction. Internet addiction is a serious issue, but it is manageable. Regular exercise, along with limiting screen time, can play a key role in the recovery process. It boosts mood, restores brain balance, and eventually, helps break the cycle of addiction.