Warning: Blogging Could Be Bad For Your Health.
by 
Liz on April 7th, 2008
We posted about blogging and health back in January when tech blogger Om Malik suffered a heart attack which some thought may have been caused by his blogging habits.
Now it’s back in the news with a New York Times article - In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop - questioning once again whether blogging is bad for your health….
Two weeks ago in North Lauderdale, Fla., funeral services were held for Russell Shaw, a prolific blogger on technology subjects who died at 60 of a heart attack. In December, another tech blogger, Marc Orchant, died at 50 of a massive coronary. A third, Om Malik, 41, survived a heart attack in December.
Other bloggers complain of weight loss or gain, sleep disorders, exhaustion and other maladies born of the nonstop strain of producing for a news and information cycle that is as always-on as the Internet.
The reaction to this article from professional bloggers was immediate.
Larry Dignan from ZDNET, who turned down the opportunity to be interviewed for the NYT article, wrote…
Let’s put a little perspective on this blogging thing. You could be getting shot at in Iraq. You could be a single mom working three jobs to stay afloat (Happy Birthday mom). You could work in a coal mine. You could be in a life and death battle with Leukemia. You could be doing any one of thousands of high-stress jobs. Sure, the Web has a lot of stress but let’s get real: If you’re stressed out over 5,000 RSS feeds chances are good you’d be stressed by any profession you chose.
The point I was trying to make was that nothing (certainly the deaths of Russell and Marc Orchant and Om’s heart attack) exist in a vacuum. You have to take care of yourself.
But prehaps the best response was from Om Malik…
It is suffice to say, the problems in my case were brought on by a combination of factors including the 24/7 lifestyle, bad health choices and yes, a desire to do everything. My doctors told me that if you are going to spend inordinate amount of time in front of a computer screen at night, you might have tough time going to sleep. The screen-flicker makes your eyes and your mind think it is day time, hence you have trouble sleeping.
If you drink too much coffee, you are going to have trouble sleeping. If you don’t sleep your heart works longer hours and has to pump more blood and is under stress. Problems get compounded when you are a smoker, are overweigh, lead a sedentary life (phone/computer) and/or are on a plane constantly.
As Malik’s post title suggestions, the best way for bloggers to look after their health is to Relax, Chill and maybe Blog.
| 2.5 |
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Computers, Extreme, Happy Living Tip, Health, Media, Misc., Morning News, Prevention
3 opinions for Warning: Blogging Could Be Bad For Your Health.
Apr 7, 2008 at 8:04 am
Very interesting subject, but I would have to disagree in part. It’s all about balance Like they said, if you are not taking care of yourself then yes, blogging (and any profession) will be detrimental to your health. Duh! Balance my friends is crucial in todays blogging day and age. Find that beautiful place and you will be fine. It’s the reason I made the Blogger Proof Workout, because I know how addictive blogging can be be…
Apr 7, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Balance is definitely essential in the 24/7 infostream life alot of us are living now. It’s sort of like a downward spiral though - if other parts of our lives are not contributing to positive health (not eating right, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle) then it can most definitely lead to worse things. Unfortunately, those negative examples are something common with people who stay in front of the computer all day or all night. I really aim to get people educated about the basics as well as how they can incorporate health in this wired generation.
Apr 8, 2008 at 5:14 am
You guys are so right — it is all about BALANCE in your life.
Israel, I’m heading over now to check out your ‘Blogger Proof Workout’. Thanks for the tip.
Andre, will be stopping in and visiting you too…
Well, right after I head out to the beach for a walk, have lunch, catch up with friends, etc…
After all, you have to have balance…
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: