7 Ways Tech Can Improve Your Mental Health

Technology often gets bad press for its negative effects on people’s mental health. But, in fact, there are many ways that your tools can help you improve the way you feel, as long as your methods are chosen carefully and used in moderation.

1 Health and Mental Health Resources

A study by Pooja Chandrashekar of Harvard University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science suggests that “mobile devices have the potential to provide powerful interventions for mental health,” especially- hall because of “the global shortage of psychiatrists and lack of mental health. access to care in rural areas.”

That said, the American Psychiatric Association suggests that people considering using a mental health tool should first ask the following questions:

1. Has the device been updated in the last 180 days?
2. Is there a transparent privacy policy available before use?
3. Does the app collect, use, or transmit personal information? If so, does it mean it does so safely?
4. Is there evidence of specific benefits from academic institutions, end-user feedback, or research studies?
5. Does the device have a medical basis related to what you plan?
6. Does the app seem easy to use?
7. Can the data be easily shared and interpreted in a way that fits the stated purpose of the app?

Headspace

Healthline, Hartford HealthCare, and NHS all promote Headspace, a comprehensive resource that offers a wide range of tools and techniques for meditation, mindfulness, mental health coaching, and therapy. Designed to help you develop life-changing habits that help you live mindfully, it’s ideal for anyone hoping to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The app is free to try for two weeks and costs $12.99 monthly or $69.99 annually thereafter. However, its high user satisfaction suggests that it is worth it.

Be quiet

Many well-known health resources also promote Peace, which focuses on breathing exercises and meditation. As its name suggests, it aims to help you fall asleep and relax in a variety of ways, including soothing music, bedtime stories and nature sounds. After a seven-day free trial, it’s free to download but costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 per year for premium services.

Built-in Mobile Apps

In January 2024, Apple added a Mental Well-being feature to its Health app that allows you to track your thoughts and feelings or engage in other activities that contribute to mental health. It includes a mental health questionnaire that uses the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 tests, which medical professionals often use to monitor depression and anxiety. You can also log your thoughts, track your exercise minutes, and find tools to help you understand factors that affect your mental health.

2 Satisfying Music Wanted

A study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience shows that music can evoke a great pleasure that conflicts with the positive feelings that come from eating our favorite foods, using drugs, or even having sex. With today’s seemingly endless choice of music streaming services, this feeling of joy is something anyone with a phone and internet can enjoy.

Personally, I’ve created a playlist on Amazon Music called “Peacefully Classic,” which I usually listen to with noise-cancelling headphones while I sleep. In fact, I’m listening to it now, as it puts me in the right frame of mind to focus on writing.

Many music streaming services have publicly available playlists for you to enjoy, whether you’re looking for peaceful music or upbeat songs that get your heart rate up. However, make the most of online music to boost your mood!

3 Staying Connected

It goes without saying that social media has its drawbacks. In fact, I recently deleted my YouTube and X accounts because of the negative impact they were having on my mental health. However, when used selectively and carefully, social media has the power to connect you with loved ones, as well as people who share your interests:

• A one-on-one or group chat on a platform like WhatsApp means you’re away from the people who matter to you.
• Safe social spaces, such as moderated Facebook groups, are a great place to connect with like-minded people.
• More and more companies, including How-To Geek, are using social media platforms like Slack where employees can discuss work-related and non-work related issues.

4 To Do Lists

His to-do lists are endless. Whether you’re looking for a convenient to-do tool, like Apple Reminders, compatible with your other apps, like Microsoft To Do or Google Tasks, or multi-featured, like TickTick, task of doing it. that list helps to clear the clutter and organize your mind.

For me, I love the satisfying feeling that comes from checking things off my to-do list when I’ve had a good day. To-do lists are also great for avoiding the nagging feeling that you’ll forget to do some of the menial tasks that come with everyday life. My to-do tool is Microsoft To Do—it’s easy to use, works on my phone and desktop, and helps me organize my day, thus boosting my overall mental state and allowing me to focus on the important things.

Make sure you’re not overwhelmed by your to-do list. To-do lists a
say
have things in them, so try not to worry if they are building. If you think that having a to-do list can do more harm than good, skip this suggestion and try something else.

5 Learning New Skills

Upskilling – defined as the process of learning a new skill – can have long-term positive effects on your mental health. According to The Benefits of Learning, acquiring new skills can give you “self-esteem and competence, a sense of identity, purpose and future, communication and other skills, and social integration,” all of which contribute to the development of good health. , mental health, and “the ability to cope with changes and challenges, including illness.”

My colleague, Dan, recommends Crash Course, a YouTube channel partnered with Arizona State University to offer “over 50 courses on a variety of subjects, from personal to science and much more” – all for free.

You can also take it one step further and take an online certificate course to expand your career prospects and increase your chances of being happier in your career.

6 Monitoring Screen Time

While there are many ways technology can help you with your mental health, it’s important to make sure you’re not relying on your phone for your mental health. “Spending more than a few hours a day looking at your phone is dangerous for health. It is very important to have a variety of real-world entertainment and social activities,” says Dr. Weigle (via THOCC). “Put the phone down and get out of there!”

To help you with this, you can monitor your screen time. On Apple devices, tap Settings > Screen Time, and on Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the gear icon, then tap “Digital Health & Parental Controls.”

7 Chat Help Text

If you’re struggling, sometimes it’s easier to chat via text than to talk on the phone or face-to-face. Wherever you are, there are toll-free mental health lines to help 24 hours a day. Here are just a few of those services:

United States

• 988 Lines is a general line for mental health problems that connects you with a counselor online chat or text to 988.
• Crisis Text Line has counselors who can help solve mental health problems by text (to 741741), online chat, or WhatsApp.

United Kingdom

• Scream offers confidential support if you are in crisis and need immediate help. Text SHOUT to 85258, or text YM if you’re under 19.

Canada

• Suicide Helpline 988 is a safe place to chat via text.