We often hear that technology is making us more stressed, depressed, and disconnected. However, if we use it right, technology can support us on our path to better mental health. Let’s explore the best ways you can do this!
1. Discover the Benefits of Mindfulness and Relaxation:
Modern life can often feel busy and frantic. As such, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why many people are turning to mindfulness and other relaxation exercises to reduce their stress and ground themselves in the present moment.
Research has shown that these exercises can bring numerous benefits – from reducing anxiety and improving your sleep to helping you be patient and understanding in your relationships. Nowadays, many mobile apps exist to help you learn these techniques and feel their benefits quickly.
2. Improve your Physical Fitness:
Many people struggle with building regular exercise habits. This is often because they don’t know what type of exercise they should do or how much and how often.
Smartwatches and other fitness trackers can be excellent tools to guide you in this process and keep you motivated.
The best exercise for you will be something you enjoy and are willing to commit to long-term.
Just because your friends are fans of CrossFit doesn’t mean that this will work for you. Whether you prefer hiking, swimming, or playing volleyball, the most important thing is having a good time!
For this reason, it’s worth taking the time to explore different exercise classes or clubs that might be in your area. Perhaps start by trying something you used to enjoy when you were young. Maybe jumping on a fitness trampoline or figure skating will take your fancy.
Once you find an exercise you enjoy, fitness trackers can be great for helping you estimate the suitable duration and intensity for your level of ability. They can estimate how straining the exercise is and how many calories you may be burning by tracking your heart rate. It’s best to start slow and increase your goals gradually.
It’s best to avoid a “boom and bust” pattern, where you could get exhausted or injured.
3. Find your Tribe:
Technology has made it so much easier to connect with like-minded individuals – both online and offline. And there’s nothing quite like a supportive group of friends to help us meet our mental health goals!
Fortunately, with the abundance of mental health technology apps and forums, you can easily find people who share your interests, no matter what niche—looking for a book club? A knitting club? A group of vintage car enthusiasts? They are probably just a few clicks away.
You can also find support groups for any struggles you might be dealing with. Try researching forums for people who are going through similar difficulties, like bereavement or divorce. Social media platforms can provide valuable sources of strength in hard times.
And let’s not forget dating apps can also help you connect with interesting people that you otherwise wouldn’t get to meet! So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – social connections really are the key to our emotional well-being.
4. Increase your Productivity:
Our devices can be a significant source of distraction for many of us. However, they also hold the power to improve our productivity – if we know how to utilize them.
Again, apps and communities are where it’s at. For example, many people tout the benefits of the “Pomodoro technique” to improve their ability to focus. According to this method, you should spend 25 minutes working, trying to focus as best you can, followed by a 5-minute break as a reward. This helps you remain focused for longer. Many apps allow you to track your Pomodoro cycles, and some have even created fun gaming elements to motivate you on your way.
You may also want to try platforms like Focusmate, which give you access to virtual coworking spaces where people get things done together. This can be a great source of connection and boost your discipline, especially if you are a student or work from home a lot.
Lastly, you can also use apps that block distractions during certain times of the day or week. That way, you can get your work done without feeling tempted to “have a quick scroll on Instagram,” – which could keep you trapped for an hour!
Related Guide: Is Technology Addiction Real? If so, How to Prevent it?
5. Try Online Therapy:
Many people struggle to access psychotherapy. This might be due to the stigma associated with mental illness, prohibitive costs, or a lack of mental health services in their area. Luckily, more and more options are emerging that enable you to talk to a therapist online.
These options often have many advantages over traditional therapy – like talking to a therapist quicker and avoiding often prolonged waiting times. You may also be able to access other modes of communication with them, like email or texting.
As you can see, when it comes to mental health technology, it’s not all bad! We just have to make sure our gadgets work for us rather than the other way around. Which one of these tips will you try first?
