A concussion is a brain injury from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a hit to the body that causes rapid head and brain movement. This movement can cause the brain to bounce or twist inside the skull, leading to temporary changes in brain function. While generally not life-threatening, concussions can affect how a person thinks, feels, acts, and sleeps. The brain needs time to heal, and understanding its recovery process is important.
Why Screen Time Affects Concussion Recovery
When recovering from a concussion, the brain is in a vulnerable state, and screen use can pose several challenges. Screens demand continuous attention and rapid interpretation of visual information, which can overwhelm a healing brain and increase cognitive load. This heightened demand on the brain’s processing centers can lead to fatigue, mental fogginess, and difficulty concentrating. The fast pace of information presented on screens further taxes the brain’s ability to process it efficiently.
Light sensitivity (photophobia) is a common concussion symptom, and bright, flickering backlights from digital devices can worsen this discomfort. Prolonged screen focus also causes significant eye strain, leading to blurry vision and headaches. Rapid eye movement from continually refreshing pixels contributes to this strain.
Loud or complex sounds from devices can be overwhelming, adding to sensory overload. These factors can worsen concussion symptoms, potentially delaying recovery. Screen use, especially at night, can also disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin production, which is important for brain healing.
When to Reintroduce Screen Use
There is no fixed timeline for reintroducing screen use after a concussion, as recovery is individual and depends on symptom resolution. Medical guidelines recommend “relative rest” immediately following the injury, often for the first 24 to 48 hours, which includes significantly limiting screen exposure. Research suggests that limiting screen time during this initial 48-hour period may shorten symptom duration. During this initial phase, the brain needs to prioritize healing, and excessive screen time can impede that process.
After the initial rest period, reintroduce screen use gradually, guided by symptom response. Wait until acute symptoms have significantly subsided before attempting screen activities. Begin with very short durations, such as 5-15 minutes, and observe your body’s reaction. If symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or visual disturbances worsen, stop and rest. Gradually increase screen time as tolerated, ensuring new or worsening symptoms are not triggered. This symptom-guided approach prevents overstimulation and supports brain healing.
Safe Screen Use Strategies During Recovery
Once screen use is gradually reintroduced, several strategies can help minimize its impact on concussion symptoms. It is beneficial to limit sessions to short durations, taking frequent breaks every 15-30 minutes, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent. These breaks allow the eyes and brain to rest, potentially enabling longer overall screen engagement with less intense symptoms.
Adjusting the environment is also important; dimming room lights and reducing screen brightness can alleviate light sensitivity and eye strain. Using blue light filters on devices can further help, as certain wavelengths of blue light may trigger discomfort or eye fatigue. Some devices offer “night mode” features that reduce blue light emission.
Choosing the right content is another strategy. Opt for calm, non-stimulating programs like documentaries or slow-paced shows, avoiding fast-paced, action-packed content or anything with flashing lights or loud, sudden noises. Watching in a quiet space can reduce overall sensory overload.
Avoid multitasking with other devices or demanding activities while watching TV, as this increases cognitive load. Increasing text and image size on screens or utilizing text-to-speech functions can also reduce visual strain. If screen use is necessary for work or school, prioritize essential tasks and apply these cautious strategies to manage symptoms effectively.
Monitoring Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Throughout the recovery process, it is important to continuously monitor for symptoms that persist or worsen. These may include ongoing headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased sensitivity to light or sound, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, or sleep disturbances. Keeping a brief record of these symptoms can help identify patterns or triggers related to screen time or other activities, providing valuable information for your healthcare provider.
If symptoms do not improve over time, worsen significantly with screen use despite precautions, or if new, concerning symptoms appear, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Seek immediate medical attention for danger signs such as a headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, one pupil larger than the other, or increasing confusion. A medical professional specializing in concussion management can provide personalized guidance and adjust the recovery plan as needed.