Since the boom of the internet, I have seen a mix of verdicts. Either it is on the downside with the likes of social media influencing especially the youth in a negative way. Or it is on the upside with useful knowledge just at the fingertips.
Anyways, we have yet to see the long-term impacts of the internet on humanity because it’s been a rather little while to have a dataset for conclusion. But for sure, we have had a fair look and will likely see more of the pros of the internet. One such is countering mental health using technology.
It’s a hyperactive World we live in that we sometimes forget about our mental health. It’s not common for people to search and read about mental health. But your mind and body will thank you that you have searched it and landed here on my article. Let’s make it worthwhile for you and dive right into how can you help your mental health using technology
Get therapy at your own convenience
Gone are the days when you had to visit a psychologist and share your thoughts in a strange environment. This, for sure, is uncomfortable especially if you are an introvert like me.
But it’s a thing of the past. Now, you can get therapy, and talk to a psychologist in your comfortable space at your own time with e-therapy. Having said that, you might need a stable internet connection to stay constantly in touch with your psychologist for your mental wellness. On such an account, Xtream by Mediacom provides one of the most dependable internet connections in the US with plans that fit any budget. With a cherry on top, they have a supreme support channel available 24/7 at Xtream Customer Service.
Still and all, e-therapy is a more efficient way of getting your mental health checked frequently than when you have to visit the clinic personally. Another plus point of e-therapy is that it’s effective on a Zoom call too because the psychologist doesn’t need to see you the way a doctor needs for a checkup.
Connect with your friends and family virtually
Recalling back to the time of anxiety and depression with people losing their loved ones because of COVID-19. It was a stressful period. But virtual activities helped release some of the head-heavy stress.
Music artists used to arrange virtual musical concerts at their homes with millions of viewers and watching movies online with long-distance friends through a shared screen are some of the activities that helped cope with the hard times.
This can be done again if you’re far away from your family. Losing the contact will likely stress you out. So, make sure you are taking the help of the internet to connect with them.
Take the help of virtual assistants
There are times when we don’t feel like talking to humans. This is when virtual assistants like Google or Alexa can help you.
It’s unexpected but thanks to machine learning, virtual assistants are becoming smarter with every passing day, yet not perfect. There might be some bland suggestions but all-in-all they are helpful.
For example, if you share with them what you are feeling, they will right on provide you with tips to cope with that like going for a walk in nature, meditation, and reading a good book among others.
There are some developments in the creation of chatbots specifically designed for mental health. They are tuned in to sense your emotions and work accordingly. They can sympathize with humans, play soothing music in the background, and can help you meditate. Overall, they can prove to be a good investment for people who care for their mental health.
Establish a balance
So, technology can be addictive. When was the last time you checked your screen time? Short-form content like TikTok videos, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels can turn your just-checking-my-phone into an hour-long session of watching tons of videos. This constant scrolling has clinically proven to be bad.
Humans naturally tend to compare themselves. While the content on Social Media seems interesting it is usually fake and we keep on comparing ourselves to a fake bubble.
What can you do about it?
You have to keep reminding yourselves that whatever you see is fake and secondly, the most important one: establish a balance. You need to quit scrolling endlessly through your phones especially right after waking up and before your sleep. Your brain releases a high level of dopamine for doing nothing and that can be bad for your mental health.
The bottom line?
There are two aspects of everything that exists in this World: one is the good and the other is the bad. Now, it’s up to us how we go about it. Use it for our own advantage or for self-destruction.
