5 ways digital detox can help your mental health
How much care and attention do you give your mental health? If you think of it the answer could be not enough. Many things can affect your mental health and lead to some unwanted problems, one of them is the use of digital devices. In this article, we will talk about 5 ways in which doing a digital detox can help your mental health.
1- It can ease many mental health issues
Psychologists have found that there is an important link between using the internet heavily and depression. This has also been proven in my surveys in the UK. Therefore, doing a digital detox can limit your internet use and notice amazing results. It is not enough to stay away from your phone, but you must do an effort to be active and socialize with people, especially face-to-face, if possible. Switching from the online to the offline world, and adding some physical activity can have amazing effects on your mental health.
2- It can decrease anxiety
If you already suffer from anxiety, your smartphone can help you ease it down. How? By getting rid of it! In a study about the relationship between the use of a smartphone, academic performance, and the level of anxiety, it was found that decreasing the use of smartphones can also lower anxiety. All you need to do is limit your time of smartphone use.
3- Being away from social media can slow down depression
Do you feel down after scrolling for long hours on Instagram or Facebook? You are not alone. Studies have found a relationship between the heavy use of social media apps and depressive symptoms such as low self-esteem. Users tend to post about only the good events in their lives, leading other users who follow them to feel that there is no place for bad moments in their lives. In fact, one in every 5 social media users has admitted to feeling depressed after spending time on social media, and seeing that their friends are leading a perfect life. Deleting these apps can make you feel better faster than you think.
4- It can keep eating disorders away
The overuse of social media has been linked to eating disorders. In a study where women participants spend a lot of time on social media, it was concluded that a majority suffered from incidence of ‘appearance-focused behavior’ such as bulimia or anorexia. These were found to be more body conscious and anxious overall. Therefore, a digital detox can help you stay away from the negative impact of other people’s fake “perfect lives”.
5- It can help you keep insomnia away
Sleep troubles can also be a consequence of the heavy use of digital devices. According to Harvard Medical School scientists, there is a close link between the use of technology in bed and insomnia. The hormone melatonin can be suppressed by the artificial blue light that screens produce. This can make you feel more alert, struggling to fall asleep and even feeling tired the next day. A digital detox can help you improve your sleep and not experience insomnia.
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