Dr Amir Khan has alarming advice for anyone who uses phone for hours a day

Dr Amir Khan has alarming advice for anyone who uses phone for hours a day "Phones are amazing. We depend on them for lots of different things, and for many people they're a lifeline. But constant scrolling can do more to your body than you think." Long gone are the days when all we used our phones for was to keep in touch with friends and family. Today the little devices we take everywhere with us can be used for almost anything you can think of, from playing music and watching videos, to paying for things and keeping on top of your banking. But could it be too much of a good thing? TV's Doctor Amir Khan, a familiar face on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, has explained five reasons why using your phone too much can actually damage your health. Speaking in a video on TikTok, he said: "Phones are amazing. We depend on them for lots of different things, and, for many people, they're a lifeline. But constant scrolling can do more to your body than you think. Here are five science backed effects of too much phone use." 1: Eye strain Explaining this can also be called "computer vision syndrome", Dr Khan said: "When you stare at screens, your blink rate can drop by up to 60 per cent. That dries out the surface of your eye, causing blurred vision, headaches and eye fatigue. "Try to take a break every 20 minutes from your phone screen. And the best thing to do is to go outside in nature, because things are at different depths and your eyes will have to focus on things near and far and that will help." 2: Neck problems Describing this as "tech neck", Dr Khan said: "Tilting your head forward by 60 degrees to look at your phone increases the load on your neck to around 27kg. That's like carrying a seven-year-old on your neck all day. "Over time, it can cause muscle strain and even change the spinal curvature. Remember to take regular breaks and do some neck exercises." 3: Sleep disruption "Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals it's time to sleep," Dr Khan said. "Even 30 minutes of phone use before bed can delay sleep onset and reduce deep restorative sleep. "Try not to use your phone 30 minutes or more before bed. And if you can, keep your phone out of the bedroom." 4: Mental health impact Dr Khan explained: "Multiple studies link high screen time with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and reduced life satisfaction, especially in teenagers and young adults. Constant notifications keep the brain in a state of alert, which isn't restful. "Real life connections are really important, so try meeting your friends for coffee or a walk rather than on the phone." 5: Reduced physical activity "The more time we spend on screens, the less we tend to move," he said. "Sedentary behaviour is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, even if you exercise later in the day. "My advice is get up and move regularly. They say sitting is the new smoking, and you don't want to be involved in that." Concluding, Dr Khan said: "So next time you're scrolling, give your eyes, neck, and mind a break. Your future self will thank you."