Author: Sofia Anderson
Digital gadgets and screen time cause a type of sensory stress – this is as much a fact as the fact that nature and greenery relax our minds and senses.
Digital devices strain our eyes and exhaust our minds in addition to creating sedentary lifestyles.
Outdoor activities and physical hobbies are replaced by meaningless surfing, digital gaming, etc.
All of this leads to much anxiety. One of the challenges of the digital age is managing this anxiety, and this means managing screen time.
Excessive screen time, especially indulging in social media usage, has been seen to cause high levels of anxiety, inattention, internalisation problems, poor sleep, and restlessness.
This trend is rising, particularly among young individuals. Mental health in the digital age is more of a challenge for youngsters.
They are consumed by digital interfaces. This means excessive screen usage, social media pressures, ongoing anxiety and low self-esteem.
Mental health is further tarred by the threat of personal information going viral, even false or forged information.
The line between personal and professional lives has become thin, and there is a constant threat of it being crossed.
Then there is cyberbullying, causing distress to many. In consideration of all this, promoting digital literacy, managing screen time, and ensuring that technology only adds to our lives rather than subtracts anything, are all very important to consider.
The Impact of Digital Technology on Mental Health
The boon of digitalisation comes with certain side effects- too much screen time and sedentary lifestyles.
The physically constraining nature of digitalisation has a marked effect on mental health. When we talk of these effects, there are some positive effects we experience and some negative effects. Let us see what they are.
Positive Impact:
- Access to productive information and useful knowledge.
- Connecting with support groups and positive social forums.
- Access to self-help tools like meditation apps and coach networks.
Negative Impact:
- Social Media Pressure: Anxiety, depressive phases, and low self-esteem can be heightened by constant comparison. In addition, cyberbullying can be quite a source of despair for many. Hence, the importance of managing screen time.
- Information Overload: Unnecessary stress, anxiety, and exhaustion can stem from the heavy flow of news and irrelevant information, which might not even be true.
- Screen Time & Sleep Disruption: Excessive digital-gadget use can affect sleep cycles and general health.
- Digital Addiction: Overuse of social media, gaming, and cell phones can mimic addictive habits and impair relationships, productivity, and focus.
Managing Screen Time and Anxiety
We saw the challenges of mental health in the digital age. Now let us navigate how to manage anxiety by managing screen time.
By following tips on digital detox, ensuring mindful consumption of information and prioritising your physical health and exercise, you can make sure that your digital lifestyle does not get on to you.
Preferring face-to-face interactions makes us feel less robotic and more human, and in turn promotes a feeling of being closer to real emotions.
We must properly utilise digital devices and learn to thrive in the digital environment of today. It means progressing, yet balancing active life and screen time.
Tips On Managing Screen Time
Too much screen time translates into a physically taxing and mentally exhausting experience.
It is unconducive for the body as well as unhealthy for the mind. Screen time must be limited and supervised if we want to keep these issues at bay. Let us have a look at some tips in this context.
Control How Much News You Consume
There was a time when the evening news and the morning newspaper were the only ways that informed us about the world.
In contrast, in the present times, social media platforms update information every millisecond and news cycles run across 24 hours.
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Consider scheduling fixed times to check the news in place of furtive checking throughout the day.
Having a few reliable news sources bookmarked and added to your Twitter list also allows you to limit any attention to stories from these accounts.
Doom Scrolling can cause anxiety, so avoid it at all costs. Controlling news consumption will also aid in managing screen time.
Organise Your Social Media Accounts
Unfollow notifications for accounts that make you cringe. If you feel like something unpleasant is being sourced to you, causing you to tighten your jaw, roll your eyes, or simply feel dreary, restrict that source.
By muting someone or unfollowing them on social networking platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, you can safely avoid them, and they will not even be aware of it.
Only follow accounts that share stuff that you find helpful or interesting. This will be a strong step in managing screen time.
✅ Take Action To Stay Focused
Throughout the day, our attention shifts places, and the more options on our devices, the more this shift of attention.
It is helpful to know exactly what you are doing when you access your computer or reach for your gadget.
Have you noticed how you are sucked into an irrelevant piece of information or into comments on a post without realising it, and how you waste a lot of time? Be more mindful of your digital involvement.
Go ahead and spend an hour checking social media while curled up on the couch with a cup of tea; it will make you feel good.
Because of managing screen time, refrain from clicking repeatedly if you were only intending to look up a recipe, and you come across an attention-grabbing headline or something else that grabs your attention.
✅ Avoid Using Electronics While Eating
You can establish a rule in your family that says electronics are not permitted at the table. This regulation also applies to having lunch in front of a computer. Make an effort to plan your day so that you have uninterrupted time for eating.
✅ Establish Boundaries
Establish a screen- and scroll-free policy in your bedroom and other areas of your house. Decide on a time each day to tune in and out.
If you do not set timing, you will inevitably find yourself glued to the screen throughout the day. Do not scroll when in bed.
It is best not to use any devices for at least an hour before you sleep. This will result in a calm and restful sleep. Excel at managing screen time – establish these boundaries and get yourself the much-needed equilibrium.
✅ Think About Alternatives To Screen Time
Given better mental health in the digital age, it is advisable not to make digital surfing your comfort choice. Meet more people.
Consider relaxation, exercise, or taking breaks for healthy snacking. The next time you reach out to idly take in a never-ending stream of blurry pictures, stop and take a different approach.
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Make a phone call to a loved one, dance to your favourite music, or choose to engage in a self-care activity that brings you joy.
If you are satisfied with other, more satisfying hobbies, cutting back on screen time may be simpler.
In conclusion, while the digital age has produced many incredible advancements, it has also given rise to new mental health problems, particularly in the form of excessive screen time and increased worry.
Understanding the negative effects of technology use on our health is the first step towards implementing good habits.
Setting boundaries and incorporating more offline activities in their routine can help people regain equilibrium.
As we progress in an increasingly interconnected society, we must prioritize mental health and wellbeing. For this, we must work towards managing screen time and undertaking conscious digital engagement.
More About Author: Sofia is a passionate writer with a love for storytelling and creative expression. She specialises in crafting engaging narratives that resonate with readers across genres. When not writing, she enjoys exploring art, nature, and new ideas. Follow Sofia @ Facebook: https://www.
