Positive Steps
Sadhbh Dunne
The advancement of technology in recent years has transformed how we interact with the world, bringing with it both new opportunities and challenges in the realm of mental health.
While technology offers tools that can make mental-health support more accessible, it also introduces new stressors, particularly through the impacts of social media and excessive screen time. Technology has become a huge part of all of our lives, so it is worth being aware of the risks it poses to our mental wellbeing, so we can better manage those impacts and stay healthy.
Sucked into screen time
Spending too much time looking at screens has been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Adolescents in particular are prone to these effects due to their higher levels of screen engagement, but we can all fall into the screen-time trap.
Prolonged screen time can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, which in turn can impact our physical health and contribute to stress, fatigue and worsening mental health. Without physical activity, less serotonin is released, which can result in fewer positive feelings and less motivation, for example.
When it comes to sleep, studies have shown that two or more hours of screen time in the evening can seriously disrupt our sleep patterns. One of the main culprits is the blue light emitted by smartphone, tablet and computer screens, which fools the brain into thinking it is still daylight, disrupting our natural circadian rhythms. We end up feeling more awake when we should be winding down, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. And we know that poor sleep quality is a major contributor to mood disorders and poor emotional wellbeing.
Try to limit the amount of time you spend on screens in the evening time, maybe turning off all electronic devices and hour or so before going to bed, and instead choose to do something relaxing, like reading a book or taking a bath.
Social-media addiction
While social-media platforms can foster connection, they often also exacerbate issues like comparison culture, cyberbullying and addiction to validation – all of which contribute to rising rates of anxiety and depression.
Social-media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook foster a culture of comparison, where people often measure their lives against the curated images of others. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and depression, especially in younger users.
Constant exposure to others’ social activities has been said to create a fear of missing out (often abbreviated to ‘fomo’), sometimes leading to a sense of exclusion. In addition to this, the anonymity and reach of social media have, unfortunately, made bullying more prevalent. Victims of cyberbullying often face significant mental-health impacts, including anxiety and depression.
The dopamine-driven reward systems of social media, through endless likes, comments and shares, create an addictive loop that can lead to its overuse. People become reliant on external validation, which can undermine self-esteem as well as emotional wellbeing.
Finding a balance
However, it’s not all bad. When viewed in a positive light, social media has also helped in raising mental-health awareness through the creation of communities where people share mental-health experiences. These communities allow conversations around mental illness and mental struggles to take place without stigma, and they also provide information on the supports and resources that might be available.
This intersection of mental health and technology is complex, though, as the same innovations that provide solutions can also create new risks, making it crucial to find a balanced and mindful approach to their use.
One of the most positive aspects of technology’s intersection with mental health is the rise of teletherapy and mental-health apps. These platforms make it easier for people to access mental-health support, especially people who live in remote areas or face barriers like cost.
Many apps use artificial intelligence (AI) to offer mental-health support, such as mood tracking, meditation guides and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) exercises. While these can be beneficial, there is a valid concern that they cannot replace professional mental-health care if deeper issues are at play that may require more face-to-face support or services.
So whilst technology has brought significant advancements in mental health care, it also presents new challenges.
As AI and other digital platforms continue to evolve, it’s important to address ethical concerns around their reliability and effectiveness. Finding a balance between the benefits of technology and mitigating its potential risks is essential for promoting overall mental well-being in the digital age. All we do know for sure is that technology is going nowhere, so we need to be mindful of ourselves when it comes to interacting with it.
Sadhbh Dunne is a qualified life coach based in Westport. She is the founder of Ember Coaching (embercoaching.ie) and can be reached at sadhbh@embercoaching.ie.
This article originally appeared on www.mayonews.ie