Technology and Mental Health: Finding the Balance

I'm Chugging Along and I'm glad you are tuning in as we talk about tech and mental health . First thing first . We have a cool new feature called Fan Mail . If you are an iOS user meaning you have an iPhone and you'd like to let me know how I'm doing , leave feedback , ask a question , suggest a show topic or just say hey , girly , you can text me now .

There's a link in the show notes at the top . Click on the link and you will see a show of numbers pop up in the text box . Don't delete them , just click a couple of spaces and leave me a text message . I can't wait to receive my first fan mail . So now that I have that out the way , let's get to the conversation .

I just asked you to leave me fan mail by texting me via technology inside my podcast link . This alone shows you how technology has become a natural part of our lives . We carry it in our hands every day .

We have a mini computer that we can use to take pictures , facetime , record videos of our fun things together , get on the internet and upload those videos and photos into stories and reels on our social media platform . It's the norm , right ?

It's normal to sit down and scroll through TikTok and listen to the latest trends or rap battle that's going on , and we can then message our friends about it , have a whole conversation via messenger text or even send voice memos . Technology is so embedded in our lives that sometimes I really don't understand how we lived without it growing up .

But there's a delicate balance that we must find for it not to become toxic and create habits of isolation With the impact of technology , the positive aspects of it , and finding balance within it . We have to be aware that being plugged in for too long can really heighten our anxiety , depression , depression and even our self-esteem .

So , for instance , let's say you're going through a rough patch and go down that rabbit hole of social media and see all the false lives that people are putting out there on social media , you can quickly fall into a deeper depressed state . It takes you away from your present .

It makes you wish you would have , could have and should have done this or that right . We're humans and we need human interactions . So when we're sitting behind our keyboards and phones admiring others' lives , sometimes having our mental illnesses , it can trigger our desires to do nothing . Illnesses .

It can trigger our desires to do nothing Instead of us getting out and enjoying our own lives and creating our own memories with family and friends . This can cause us to withdraw . So if you have ever felt this way or are feeling this way , let's just unplug and take in some air .

Let's go for a walk , reconnect with our friends or just do what I'm going to start doing and become friends with myself . When you can't meet up with your girlfriends , you know you have crazy schedules . They live like here .

My friends are an hour , sometimes an hour and a half away out sometimes , so I just decided that I'm going to become my own best friend .

I know it sounded like a Beyonce song , but for now , until our busy lives slow down and we can get on each other's calendars and catch up , I'm going to take myself to lunch , I'm going to take myself to a movie , maybe do some shopping . It may be on Amazon or online , but I'm just going to make sure that I get out and I'm going to get to living .

Technology is best when it brings people together . Matt Mullenweg , the positive aspect of technology is that we can use it for personal growth and learning . I wanted to learn about what was going on with me and my illnesses . I took to the internet YouTube , audio books , e-books , you name it .

I wanted to learn about what was going on with my mental state when I was in a better place , right , and I can start absorbing the information correctly . I started to learn what I was not doing and how to improve on the habits that I was halfway doing .

I was able to learn about gut health , learning that food is medicine and that eating differently than what I was used to and when I was brought up , eating , can help ease a lot of issues that I was experiencing .

On the days that I needed to fuel my mind and body , I could use the Apple Plus app , connect it to my Roku TV and choose a meditation class to work on my grounding , or try a yoga class to get me moving .

There are wellness and mindfulness apps , like the Calm app I know we've all heard of that that I can use as I'm walking or moving through the house . That can help me with my breathing , or someone famous can tell me a story to calm my mind and help center myself . How awesome is that ? Right ?

The positive ways to use technology are endless today , but we have to remember that , as we're going through all the apps and enjoying ourselves , always set a limit to unplug and be present . Technology should improve your life , not become your life .

Billy Cox , finding a delicate balance between the impact and positivity that technology can have on our mental health is a harmonious act . We are truly in a time where everything is literally in our hands and it's fantastic . But you have to know when too much is too much and set healthy tech boundaries .

But you have to know when too much is too much and set healthy tech boundaries . When I go through horrible , depressed moods or I need a fix , as I call it , I find myself either going down the scroll train of TikTok for animal funniest moments or playing my games on my iPad , and I am on there for hours at a time .

I'm just scrolling , laughing and playing my games . I talked about it with my counselor and found out why I had an urge to finish a room while I was playing my games , and we found out that I had a need to finish things . Who knew right ?

So , looking at this through the lens of a child who isn't ready to go to bed yet , I had to tell my inner self , my inner child okay , five more minutes . Whether you finish the room or not , it's time for bed . And it worked . No more late nights up trying to fulfill this . Need I found my harmony ? I don't play the game as much anymore .

Need I found my harmony ? I don't play the game as much anymore . I'm more focused on getting in bed in a timely manner so that I can get on a better sleep routine . By putting screen timers on my devices , I'm now truly shutting down what I'm scrolling on TikTok , shutting down on Instagram .

When I'm in that mild scrolling , I am finding my harmony or balance with it . Once you find out why you are doing this , the desire seems to not be so great . Mindful moment . We talked about finding balance between technology and our mental health . We are truly in a digital space where we use technology for everything . I use my phone for my grocery list .

I shop at sam's club and literally scan all my items and pay for my food on my phone . I can even connect alexa to my phone to create my grocery list . With voice commands , I can speak into my remote control and say what station or streaming service I want to watch . I don't have to go into the doctor's appointment if I don't want to .

I have an option of telehealth appointments . The use of technology is endless . I never thought that I would have a mini computer that I use daily as a phone to give me directions to any location I want to go , or to even order food for delivery or an Uber . Times have truly changed , but the basics are still the same .

Set boundaries for yourself , disconnect from social media If it becomes too toxic , delete the apps for a while . Or if your job doesn't require you to use social media apps , take them off your phone for a while to just release the urge to surf . Set time limits for yourself If you're with your family and friends .

After you've taken your pictures and edited them and all that good stuff , put your electronics down and enjoy each other's company and just be in the moment . And by all means , declutter your devices . Have you really looked at your computer and your phones and seen what's really going on over there ? Because I have a ton of apps that I'm just ready to delete .

Get rid of all that clutter and clear up your space . Not only will you have more space for your music or more fun photos of times that you have with your people , but it would also clear your mind . No more scrolling and searching for a pizza app only to see that you have five or six , seven more apps that you will never use . It's just mind-blowing .

So what's the real thing here ? Just really be mindful of what you consume , how it makes you feel and how much time you spend on your devices .

If it's not great , it's time to make some changes for your well-being . You will thank yourself . Love you , girl . Thank you for joining me . I hope you found value in today's conversation , where we talked about tech and mental health finding the balance . I'm your host , Shannon Martin .

Be sure to join us next Wednesday where we will discuss Understanding the Mind Body Connection . Until then , stay healthy and take care and don't forget to leave us fan mail . The link is at the top of the show notes . Text us and let us know how you enjoy our podcast .

It should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health advice , diagnosis or treatment . If you need help , please consult a qualified mental health professional .