Screen Time & your Mental Health
By Kelly Hird (BHSc, Nat)
To say that technology is evolving before our eyes, is an understatement. Technology is becoming a huge part of our world and it will continue to be throughout the rest of our lives. We need to learn a healthy way to adapt to this. Research shows that people are spending too much time on their screens and even referring to it as ‘addiction’. Is it addiction or is it that our jobs, schooling or home life are now so reliant on screens that we’re ‘neglecting’ or ‘lacking time’ for our own health. We must learn balance in a world that is abundant with all this technology.
As our technology use is rising, so too are mental health disorders. There are a whole hierarchy of needs that are required to maintain our mental well-being. A very important portion of these needs are our physical needs – sleep, exercise, diet & social interaction. If we were to neglect these needs, this is when we can start to notice symptoms of mental health disorders, such as anxiety & depression. This reminds us why balance is so important. If we don’t have time to look after ourselves, maybe this is when ‘screen time is becoming too much’.
Our Physical Needs
As people are spending more time on their screens, it is becoming more evident that our sleep patterns are changing. People are simply, not getting enough sleep and this, in itself, can lead to feelings of anxiety & depression. And then there’s exercise. The recommended daily exercise requirements have now increased from 30 minutes to 45 minutes per day, plus some days of strength training. Are you getting that much exercise? We know that exercise is one of the best ways to manage anxiety. It has been found to have the equivalent effect to Zoloft. So don’t forget to go for that walk.
Let’s not forget diet. Whenever I refer to diet, I’m referring to what we put in our mouths. People are not taking the time to eat properly. They are skipping meals and eating highly processed foods, simply because it’s convenient. It’s important to avoid those processed fats & sugars, which are known to increase the inflammation in our bodies. There is a direct link between an inflamed gut and our mental health.
And last but not least – Social Interaction. People are becoming more socially disjointed. They’re not catching up with their friends, and instead they’re turning to social media. Even at the dinner table, they’re not switching off their phones & connecting with each other. This skill of communication is so important throughout our whole life.
In closing, it’s not always a case of addiction or needing to limit our screen time. We just need to learn to shift our focus and learn the concept of mindful usage and keeping it balanced. Trust me, your mental health will thank you for it!