It can be quite impossible to live each day not using a single technology. We use emails for work, social media for entertainment, and video games to pass the time. We browse the internet to find the information we need. But with such an abundance of technology these days, many of us are starting to get addicted, causing different issues that negatively influence the way we live.
Extreme Tech Usage and Its Impact on Our Lives
Technology, while extremely useful, has been the center of controversy for many years now. Many people use tend to take their other roles for granted after excessive use of different technologies. Others say their relationships changed with their loved ones being more committed to their tech of choice.
Kids and grown-ups alike get addicted to video games. There are also an increasing amount of people that are heavily invested in living a social media lie. Numerous studies suggest that heavy tech usage can indeed ruin one’s physical and mental health.
Despite tech’s bad reputation, there are ways we can turn our tech usage around. Investing in the right tech habits can actually help us booth our mental health. Here are some strategies worth trying to leverage tech for the sake of our mental well-being.
Tech-friendly Ways to Boost Mental Health
The key to using tech in improving our mental health is through healthy tech usage. One should not spend hours at a time mindlessly using tech. When using and investing in any tech, make sure you have a purpose to fulfill.
Recreational Video Gaming
Some people find joy in playing video games. Others even look for gaming PCs being sold to improve their gaming experience. It is crucial that we don’t spend more than nine hours each week on video games.
Playing video games can help improve your reaction time. This can also help in boosting short-term memory and attention. According to studies, such activity can increase the gray matter in your brain, thus improving muscle control, spatial navigation, perception, and memories.
Mental Health Apps
There now exist many apps that can help one explore depending on your mental health needs. For instance, you are feeling anxious or depressed. You can download certain apps that will help you understand signs and symptoms associated with these and find useful information to better manage your condition.
You can also use mental health apps to consult with the right professional. With the growing popularity of telehealth and telemedicine, even professionals specializing in mental health are now within reach. You no longer need to go to a clinic since you can get an appointment for an online video consultation.
Real-time Support
There now exist live and phone-based support meant to help individuals struggling with their mental health. You might be suffering from stress, anxiety, an eating disorder, depression, or even addiction. You can get the support your need with a simple internet search.
Some support is available to people who like talking to someone over the phone. Others can choose chat-based support. Now, you are never alone since getting support is only a few clicks and taps away.
Social Media
Social media use can indeed harm one’s mental health. A study states that social media addiction is a mental health issue for some people. But through responsible social media use, you can use this to connect to your loved ones and get the support you need from family and friends.
Use social media to contact friends and families living far from your residence. Talk through video calls, send each other encouraging chats, and remind each other they have a shoulder to lean on. There is no reason to let distance get in the way since social media allows free ways to stay connected to your loved ones.
Health Gear
Today’s tech brings us innovative health gears we can use to achieve our health goals. Since exercise also helps release happy hormones, it only makes sense that we keep up with our daily workouts. With the help of different health gears, we can motivate ourselves to continue staying active.
Smartwatches, for instance, come equipped with trackers that make it easier for us to track activities and progress. Every time you beat your record, be it the number of kilometers or the number of jumps you run each day or the number of jumps, your smartwatch will be with you every step of the way to take the counting out of your hands.
How we use technology can greatly impact our mental health. We should commit to responsible tech use if we want to improve our mental health. With the help of the right technology, we can enjoy a happier and healthier life given the circumstances we face each day.
