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- Digital Wellbeing
Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is Digital Wellbeing. We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic!
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One relevant recommendation:
Brief Article: Why I Stopped Going on My Phone Right After Waking Up
POV: You have doom-scrolled and are now filled with a sense of guilt. Determined to reduce your device usage, you watch online ‘hacks’ to motivate you into making a change. But unfortunately, the dopamine high is just temporary and you are back to square one. We have all been there and often taken many drastic steps when just a simple one will do. The article by John Fish, a YouTuber, talks about the impact of using a phone soon after waking up.
Two quotes on the Digital Age and Staying Well with Devices:
Arianna Huffington, the Greek-American author, spoke about the biggest gift and challenge of the digital age:
"The greatest gift of the digital age is also its biggest challenge: the ability to be connected to everything and everyone at all times."
Nihar Bansal, an engineering college student on the relationship with technology:
“Digital Wellness is not limiting oneself from advancements in technology, it is rather maintaining a healthy relationship with it.”
Three TherapyShorts from TST
The culture of immediacy: The expectation to be digitally available 24/7 can bring about a compulsion to respond immediately thereby reducing our ability to be fully present at the moment, increasing chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. Designate certain areas in our home, such as the bedroom or dining area, as tech-free zones can encourage device-free interactions and activities. Starting with short, manageable periods of digital detox and gradually increasing the duration can be helpful. For example, begin with one hour a day and slowly work up to a full day. Before reaching for a device, ask yourself if it’s necessary or if there’s an alternative activity you can engage in.
Digital boundaries: The limits we set around engaging with devices and online interactions can help manage the constant influx of information and demands, reducing stress and preventing digital burnout. Therefore, scheduling specific times of day to check/respond to messages, following accounts that uplift and unfollowing/muting the ones that feel disempowering, and making a conscious effort to spend quality time without distractions with loved ones can help ensure digital well-being.
Relationship with social media: Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering both opportunities for connection and potential pitfalls for our health. Reflecting on our relationship with social media can uncover how it influences our overall well-being. What prompts you to use social media during the day? How do you feel after engaging with different types of content and interactions? Do you compare your life to others, or feel validated and supported? Which posts do you find most engaging, and which ones are triggering? Do your social media habits align with your personal values and goals?
A QUESTION?
If you could bring only one device on a deserted island (which surprisingly has a socket!), what would it be?
Phone
Laptop/Tablet
Smart watch
Just a book for me, thank you
LAST WEEK’S RESPONSE
It’s interesting to see how people of different ages show support. Our capacity to provide emotional support decreases as we grow older, whereas our tendency to provide solutions increases with age. What do you think? We always want to hear from you :)
Love and light,
The Social Therapist
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