Participating in Screen Free Week May Improve your Mental Health
May 1, 2023 kicks off Screen-Free Week, an annual event sponsored by screenfree.org. It is an invitation for families to take a break from their screens for one week. Among the many benefits of reducing screen time is reclaiming time to rediscover life beyond screens. Just think of what you can do with all that extra time – reconnect with nature, with your children, with your spouse, with yourself – the possibilities are endless. If a full week without screens seems impossible, try to reduce your screen use or try a screen-free day once a week.
Another benefit of reduced screen time is improved mental health. Two recent studies give us even more reasons to take a break from screens. One study from the American Psychological Association found a connection between one’s social media usage and how one feels about their body image and weight. The study found that when teens and young adults reduced their screen usage by 50% during the period of a few weeks, they felt significantly better about their body image and weight. A second study showed that social media is responsible for negatively impacting our mental health by increasing our levels of anxiety and depression.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Be sure to check out our weekly blogs on mental health topics. Visit our website for programs and materials that support mental health.
For more information on Screen-Free Week, visit https://screenfree.org/
For more information on social media and mental health, read “The role social media plays in mental health” at https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.