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Month: February 2019

Protect Your Phone In These 3 Ways

Published by Will Chatham on 2/28/2019

For most people, their phone is pretty much a constant companion throughout their daily lives. But if you are keen to make sure that you are going to be able to keep it as such, then you need to know that you are looking after it properly. Most people don’t really think too much about how to protect their phone, but it is something that all of us could benefit from looking into to some degree. As it happens, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure that your phone is truly and fully protected, and in this article we are going to take a look at just a few of them. Here are three of the best ways in which you might be able to ensure that you protect your phone as well as possible.

Track It

One of the biggest concerns with phones is that they can get lost. When this happens, it can be a surprisingly disastrous affair. For most people, it will mean that their life will be significantly uprooted for a while, and you will at the very least have to worry about trying to find it again as soon as possible – or replacing it, should it come to that. One of the best solutions for this particular problem is to find a way to track your phone, which you can now do easier than ever. So long as you have some Gadget Trackers attached to it, you will always be able to find it, no matter how far it has gone. You might not always be in a position to retrieve it, but you can at least know where it is – and more often than not, it is pretty close to home anyway, and you will be able to find it and get it back – which could save you a huge headache.

Cover It

You should also think about getting something for the screen, so that you don’t have to worry about it becoming scratched. This is important for a number of reasons. Most of all, you will be able to keep its value fairly high, which could be important if you ever hope to sell it on after you are done with it. But it will also mean that the usage of it for you personally is much better, as you won’t be having to worry about scratches and cracks and so on. You can easily get a screen protector these days, and it is definitely a good idea to get one – along with a case too, for some added extra protection. You can find iPhone X cases and Android covers for cheap. There is no reason to avoid covering it up, especially when you have those hairy situations where you drop your phone on the ground and it lands face first, only to find it has survived this time!  

Insure It

You never quite know what is going to happen to your phone, so insuring it is often one of the best things you can do. If you insure your phone, you should find that you are able to have more confidence and less worry surrounding it, and if nothing else that makes using it much nicer. Of course, you should shop around for an insurance policy which you feel is actually going to work out well enough for your purposes.

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Published by Marie Miguel on 2/5/2019

While social media is a bridge to greater connectivity and community, studies have often shown just how damaging it is for mental health. The rise in anxiety, depression and eating disorders have risen significantly and contributes to other negative feelings such as loneliness, jealousy and stress. Ultimately, reliance on social media had lead to people feeling more and more unhappy

Being active social media presents a number of challenges, such as online bullying, toxic comparisons and the increasing inability to socialize in the real world. Read on to learn more about the effects social media has on mental health.

Rise in depression and anxiety

A study by The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that the young adults who spent a lot of time on social media were more likely to report sleeping problems and symptoms of depression. Those who experienced cyberbullying on social media saw an increase in feelings of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Frequent social media users also have a tendency to make comparisons about physical appearances, vacations and successes, even though only the highlight reels are presented on social media. This leads to the belief that everyone else’s life is better or cooler than the user’s, when this is in fact a false reality. By placing their sense of worth based on how they are doing compared to others, they go down a social comparison spiral bound for depression and anxiety.

Negative body image

The need to get “likes” on social media for validation and approval leads the user to engage in risky and unhealthy behaviours, including altering their appearances, to gain more interaction on their social media. A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that those who spent more time on social media had 2.2 times greater risk of developing eating and body disorders. Women in particular have been proven to feel worse about themselves and more dissatisfied with their bodies when scrolling through the Instagram of someone they perceive to be more attractive than them. When toxic comparison leads to body dysmorphia, depression or anxiety, it is important to reach out to healthcare professionals or a licensed therapist and get help.

False sense of socialization

Though a user may have hundreds to thousands of friends or followers on social media, it can contribute to FOMO, or fear of missing out, when a user sees their friends attending events or parties that they didn’t get to go to. This leads to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and jealousy. Having a lot of online friends or followers does not make up for deep, connected and meaningful connections that are needed for a fulfilling and healthy life. Real human interaction is key to knowing how to communicate well, learning empathy and compassion and is vital to good mental health. However, more people are engaged with online personas than real people.

The upsides of social media

Young adults who have difficulty face-to-face socializing or finding acceptance within their social circles benefit from the fast, easy and non-threatening nature of social media. Those from the LGBTQ community or who struggle with mental illness have also motivation and friendships through online spaces. It is empowering for them to find like-minded people who encourage their progress and support them through challenges which they would otherwise face in isolation

One of the keys to good mental health in this modern, fast-paced world is balance. Social media can be good for you and even helpful, but so is real-life friendships and engaging in the present moment. We may not need to quit social media completely, but by using less social media and disconnecting in moments of real human connection, there may be a decrease feelings in depression and ironically, loneliness.

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Marie Miguel

Contributor

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with
mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

    5 Ways To Boost Your Self-Esteem

    Published by Marie Miguel on 2/1/2019

    We tend to be our own worst critics; we judge and put ourselves down for not meeting a certain standard or expectation either social media or society demands that we live up to or is self-imposed. Sometimes this can go on for years, particularly after a traumatic event, and the struggle of learning to rebuild one’s self-esteem becomes ever more challenging.

    Having a healthy self-esteem is about having a compassionate, loving and realistic approach to oneself and it is vital if you want to have a happy and healthy life. Here are ways you can boost your self-esteem and increase your feelings of self-worth:

    1. Remember that you are not defined by what happened to you.

    It is important that you do not place your identity or define yourself by what was done or said to you. Your self-worth should not be tied to a particular person or event as this false connection only results in feelings of shame and unworthiness. You are not what happened to you; you are not what they say you are. You get to control what you believe about yourself; you get to control your destiny.

    2. Be mindful of your thoughts.

    One of the first steps to improving your self-esteem is being aware of the negative thoughts going through your head and learning to distance yourself from them. By identifying with them less, you will be able to see your thoughts as just that — thoughts — and not facts or truths that are meant to be believed. Every time you find yourself talking negatively about yourself, simply observe them and remind yourself that they are not facts. If this becomes a persistent problem and you are struggling to disengage with your negative self-talk, consider getting professional help from a therapist or seeking invaluable advice from trusted sources like BetterHelp.

    3. Change the way you talk to yourself.

    Repeat positive affirmations to yourself, about yourself, everyday; this has shown to decrease symptoms of depression. Start by listing all the things you love about yourself, such as your body shape or that you’re a trustworthy person. Then, list all the things you are good at, such as being a present listener or a reliable planner. The next time negative self-talk arises, look back on your list and remind yourself of at least two things you love about yourself and at least two things you are good at.

    4. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.

    Someone may be an amazing cook but a terrible reader, but neither of those things define that person’s worth. We all have things we are good at and bad at, and when you choose to focus on your strengths and be more forgiving of your shortcomings, you will gain a more coherent, realistic and compassionate perspective of yourself. If you have trouble identifying your gifts and talents, ask your friends and family — sometimes they see the best in you more than you do yourself.

    5. Take good care of yourself.

    Invest in forms of self-care as poor health habits significantly affects your mental health in a negative way and leads to a greater devaluation of oneself. Exercise has proven to increase self-esteem, improve mental health and empowers not only the mind but the body; getting sufficient sleep every night helps you think more clearly and rationally; a balanced and nutritious diet also has positive effects on self-perception.

    Remember that you are worthy and you are enough. You do not need to do or be anything to be valuable. You deserve respect and love, no matter who has told you otherwise. And with self-compassion and self-care, destructive thoughts can be dismantled and your self-worth can be alive and thriving again.

    avatar

    Marie Miguel

    Contributor

    Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with
    mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.