In today’s world, we spend most of our day in front of a screen, be it a phone, laptop or computer. While what we’re doing may be productive, overusing technology may have a negative effect on mental health. This is why undergoing a digital and/or social detox to help disconnect from technology may be beneficial. Here’s what you need to know about media detoxes.
What are social media and digital detoxes, and why should you detox?
A social media detox is when an individual refrains from using or engaging with social media for a set period, or indefinitely, to improve their well-being and mental health.
A digital detox is when someone totally refrains from or intentionally decreases the amount of time spent using all electronic devices, including tablets, TVs, computers and smartphones. During a digital detox, individuals usually avoid watching TV, playing video games, and sending text messages and emails as well as the use of all other electronic devices.
Various studies have found that social media detoxes not only improve an individual’s overall well-being and reduce anxiety, they also improve sleep and productivity as well as bring about positive changes in mood.
Social media may be useful for a lot of things. But while there are advantages to its use, there are also some disadvantages. For instance, social media has been linked to increases in levels of depression and anxiety. Too much social media use also promotes unreasonable expectations, which may negatively impact an individual’s mental health.
What are some of the benefits of a digital detox?
- Reduced depression and anxiety
Findings from a recent study have shown that a one-week media break can reduce levels of depression and anxiety, with causal evidence showing that even short breaks can impact an individual’s overall well-being and emotions positively.
- Improved sleep
Refraining from the use of electronic devices a few hours before you hit the sack may considerably improve quality of sleep. Not using devices before bed also decreases blue light exposure, which has been linked to disrupted sleep.
- Increased productivity and enhanced focus
Scrolling through social media mindlessly and checking notifications on your smartphone consumes a lot of time. Eliminating any distractions affords people more time to focus on their responsibilities and tasks at hand.
- Allows you to form meaningful connections
A study conducted in 2019 found that smartphones modified how people interacted socially, with researchers noting that individuals were less likely to smile at another person when they had their phones present. To stay engaged with people around you and get to know them, put your phone aside.
Unfortunately for some people who have already been diagnosed with mental illness, a digital detox may be too little, too late. Such people may in the future be better served by the novel treatments that are currently being developed by many companies, including Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN), which is evaluating the use of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN
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