Posted by HUED Admin in General on July 18th, 2022
In May, HUED shared an article, “The Mental Impact On Our Virtual Lives,” sharing how social media and the constant usage of our phones impact our mental health. Around 4.2 billion people utilize social media as of 2021, according to research which is roughly, roughly 58.4% of the global population.
It is easy to say “put the phone down,” but letting go of a habit without implementing healthy lifestyle changes or daily challenges may leave some feeling like they cannot go without their phone. Below we created a five-day challenge to allow you time away from the phone but first, some ground rules.
Ready for our challenge?
Every day in the morning:
5 Day No Phone Challenge
Disconnecting from your devices allows for time to connect with others and, most importantly, with yourself. While doing this challenge, also make sure to give yourself grace if you feel the urge to check your phone or you do check your phone. Try this five-day challenge, and let us know how your progress went.
Stay connected to us on Instagram @HUEDCO
Site content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
Posted by HUED Admin in General on June 2nd, 2022
When it comes to technology and mental health, smartphone addiction and mobile applications like social media, are associated with negative mental health outcomes. Many researchers, however, see the potential for mobile applications to improve mental health outcomes and alleviate barriers to treatment. Mental health apps, or MHapps, are applications that can be downloaded onto mobile devices to address a multitude of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. This 500 million dollar industry is growing in popularity but not without its issues. While the Food and Drug Administration regulates a few apps that provide treatment and diagnosis, many MHapps aren’t regulated and don’t have guidelines for their development which can make users wary of their safety and effectiveness. There is, however, clinical research that shows that these apps are a useful tool to supplement in-person therapy, provide education, and teach healthy coping skills. There are currently an estimated 10,000 different MHapps available for download in various marketplaces. So how do you find a credible mental health app that works for you?
Experts say you should evaluate MHapps by 3 main criteria: credibility, privacy and data security, and engagement and design. Credibility refers to whether or not the MHapp will work. Many apps are informed by mental health research but very few have been evaluated with a clinical trial. In order to assess credibility, you should visit the apps website and investigate what research was done to develop or evaluate the app. When it comes to your privacy and data, it’s worth checking out the app’s privacy policy to see what will happen to any data or information you enter. Engagement and design refers to the user experience, or how easy, fun, or engaging, the app is to use. MHapps that are easy and fun to use are more likely to keep you engaged and provide better outcomes. Mind Apps and OneMind Psyberguide are organizations that evaluate MHapps on the basis of those three criteria and are useful websites for finding a mental health app that is safe, effective, and well suited to your needs.
Sources:
Bakker, D., Kazantzis, N., Rickwood, D., & Rickard, N. (2016). Mental Health Smartphone Apps: Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations for Future Developments. JMIR mental health, 3(1), e7. https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.4984
Caron, C. (2022, April 13). How to Find a Mental Health App That Works for You. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/well/mind/mental-health-apps-therapy.html
Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of affective disorders, 207, 251–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.030
Posted by HUED Admin in General on May 24th, 2022
According to research, as of 2021, about 4.2 billion people utilize social media, roughly 58.4% of the global population. According to Merriam-Webster, social media is “a form of electronic communication where users can share videos, messages, and ideas with their curate community.” This encompasses platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, and even Pinterest. As social media usage skyrockets, so do the rate of mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
In 2020 the National Alliance of Mental Illness released the impact on mental health:
Social media allows us to curate the life we want virtually; between filters and editors, you can be whoever you want to be very quick. However, does the impact of trying to obtain a certain status on these platforms outweigh what it is doing to our minds? Studies have shown that Americans spend around 4 to 6 hours daily on their smartphones, with some experiencing phenomena such as Phantom Vibration Syndrome.
Phantom Vibration Syndrome is when you believe your phone is vibrating. One study found that 89% of undergraduate students experienced phantom vibration and did not see it as concerning. Others, however, have been very transparent that they may have an unhealthy, even an addictive, relationship with their smartphone.
Another phenomenon is Social Media Anxiety Disorder, often referred to as FOMO, which is the constant need to check on your online friends and followers to ensure you are not missing out. Unfortunately, these individuals are also more likely to lie about how much time they spend using their phones and experience severe withdrawal symptoms when unable to use social media.
Individuals are also experiencing numerous forms of violence linked to social media usage. The Pew Research Center’s 2018 survey of U.S. teens showed that one in six teenagers had experienced at least one of six different forms of abusive behavior online:
There is also a correlation between body dysmorphia and social media in young adolescent girls, and some organizations are going as far as banning filters for their product promotions. As social media grows, so does our need to create checks and balances to have a healthy natural world life and an online presence. Below are some ways to protect your mental health from the downside of social media.
Tips on balancing social media usage:
Social media has its ups and downs, but it has proven influential when creating community and connecting across platforms. However, we have to keep in mind that social media can create moments of depression and anxiety, and in a time when you almost need to be interconnected, make time for yourself.
Stay connected to us on Instagram @HUEDCO
Site content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
