Did you know the zombie apocalypse is happening right now? Have you seen a whole group of people on their cellular devices making their way through the busy streets of New York? Keeping a conversation going has become a burden, and unfortunately, a difficulty. Most people are not aware that face face interaction has been proven to improve your mental health. In fact, lack of face to face contact with people can actually lead a person to depression.
Many people are curious about long-term health benefits as a side effect from human interaction. In an October 2015 study, published online in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, researchers found that limited face to face interaction can double one’s risk of depression. Additionally, people who are in contact with family and friends regularly, are less likely than people who text and email regularly, to develop symptoms of depression. Don’t limit your interaction to just texting. So, go hang out with friends and enjoy life! That barrier increases your risk of mental health disorders. In addition, the benefits of face to face contact increases as you get older! Research shows that grandparents who had regular contact with their family and friends had a significantly lower depression-like symptoms.
According to Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development — a theory which states the eight healthy stages of a person from infancy to late adulthood — a person in their late adulthood (sixty-five or older) focuses mainly on ego integrity and reflects on life. Meaning that we age our family bonds strengthen in our final stages of life. Life is short. Don’t take your life for granted and waste it on looking down and missing out on the beautiful scenery and the wonderful people in your life. Enjoy every moment with friends and family, giving them your full attention. After all, we only live once.
Unfortunately, our dependency on technology is unreal and has made it increasingly difficult to give life our full attention. Our attention spans have even shortened, and boredom sets in faster than ever before.
Some tips to conquer this feat:
- Everyone needs a break and some time for themselves. Silence your phone for at least an
hour a day so you can enjoy the day without any
distractions.
- Call your friends to get together.
- Limit phone use while you are out and about. Take in the scenery; it’s beautiful!
- Bored? Need to pass time? Pick up a hobby and learn something new!
- And if you’re really up to the challenge: Leave your phone at home while you’re sitting
in classes. No distractions. Just A’s all the way and a good feeling too!
Will you take that step and not only strengthen your bonds with friends and family, but also improve your mental health while doing so? Well? What are you waiting for? LOOK UP.
Source:
Christopher Bergland
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201510/face-face-social-contact-reduces-risk-depression