With the digital age upon us we feel like we are always on the go. People can get hold of us whenever they want and often we feel the need to respond straight away. I remember the days before mobile phones and how you still planned days out, met people and spoke on the phone but there wasn't the urgency that there is today. Having boundaries in place is important in this digital era, switching off your phone for periods of time, or at least having it on silent and then having slots of time when you check your phone. I need to practice this as I've got into a habit of having my mobile close by. I have turned off my notifications for e-mail, Whats App and social media so I am not constantly alerted to these. I read a recent study looking at the relationship between mobile phone usage on the physical and mental wellbeing of university students. The study highlights a significant association between excess use of mobile phones and negative effects on physical and mental health wellbeing.
Research suggests that limiting your social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day can significantly improve well-being, decreasing symptoms of loneliness and depression.
In the American Psychological Associations' annual Stress in America survey, around 18% of U.S. adults cited technology use as a significant source of stress in their life. For many, it is the ever-present digital connection and constant need to keep checking emails, texts, and social media that accounted for the majority of this tech stress. One study conducted by researchers in Sweden found that heavy technology use among young adults was linked to sleeping problems, depressive symptoms, and increased stress levels.
A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. “Detoxing” from digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without distractions. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress that stems from constant connectivity. To find out ways to do a digital detox go to https://www.verywellmind.com/why-and-how-to-do-a-digital-detox-4771321. I have made a start on a digital detox, why not give it a go, you may find you have more quality time to do things you love.
References:
Hunt, MG, Marx, R, Lipson, C, and Young, J. No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 2018; 37(10): 751-768. doi: 10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751
Thomée S, Härenstam A, Hagberg M. Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults--a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:66. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-66
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