"Well" Connected--The Costs and Benefits of Facebook, Twitter, Apps and Email

Hi.

You are reading this post and, already, may have spent a minute (or an hour) looking at a screen.

Many of us love being well-connected to our friends and loved ones, as well as people we hardly know via the Internet. Our computers and mobile devices allow us to stay in touch, stay amused, and stay informed through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, text or email.

Our problem is that we may be getting addicted to those pings, buzzes and ringtones without even knowing it.

One U.S. survey estimates that, as a nation, we spend about 121 billion minutes on social media every  month. (Nielsen, "The state of media: social media report 2012)

Other research cites that  Americans (ages 18 to 64) self-report spending  an average of more than 3 hours a day on social media sites. (Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange, https://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5954)

Here's a lovely short summary of some of the pros and cons of social media as it impacts our mental health.
 
 http://www.ivillage.ca/health/womens-health/10-good-and-bad-ways-social-media-affects-your-mental-health 

After you read it, why not shut down your computer, phone or tablet for a half hour and relax with a walk outside, a quiet meditation or an in-person chat.

You can think of it as a mini-vacation for your eyes and fingers.

Best wishes for the year to come. Please take very good care.