Have you ever felt an instant dread when you see someone post workout videos daily as you open your second bag of chips? Or the feeling when your collage-mate brags about their fancy new job on LinkedIn after you resign?
The Internet is filled with triggers that affect our mental health adversly. We constantly hear about how we should “switch off” from our digital lives and be more mindful.
But the Internet is also a huge resource for anyone seeking help. A shift in perspective can often help us see the Internet in a better light. Our modern problems find modern solutions online.
As toxic as the online world can be, the silver lining is that we have ways to help ourselves from the comfort of our homes. When dealing with serious mental health issues, there is no replacement for seeking professional help. But, we can manage day-to-day struggles with a few virtual resources. While mental health practitioners help us get to the root of our problems, these methods help refocus our attention regularly. Here are four ways the Internet can help you deal with bad days.
Chat Rooms
We often need a safe space to talk about our experiences. We tend to feel alone in our journey. Apps like 7Cups of Tea use chat rooms to help people anonymously talk to volunteers across the world about their worries. You can open up to a stranger and have a conversation hopefully without inhibitions.
Mindfulness Applications
As overwhelming as apps can be, a few help us feel less anxious. Headspace and Calm have recently gained traction for instructing and guiding the users through varied calming techniques. These techniques are effective if you are trying to snap out of anxiety, get better sleep, or try to calm your mind. They often use music and visuals as a medium to communicate with the user.
ASMR
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. ASMR has rapidly gained popularity on youtube over the last few years. It refers to videos that induce a pleasurable psychological sensation when you listen to them. The videos are known to reduce one’s heart rate to make them feel more relaxed. Many users have confirmed that watching ASMR videos has helped them experience reduce levels of anxiety in certain situations.
Podcasts & Youtube Videos
Listening to podcasts or watching youtube videos is not an instant solution, but it can help reiterate the fact that you are not alone. Listening to other people and their battles can often push you to seek help yourself. The Anxiety Coaches Podcast hosted by Gina Ryan, and Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin, serve as a nice starting point.
However, nothing comes above one of the biggest resources at our fingertips- therapy. Having virtual access to mental health practitioners has made seeking professional help affordable and convenient. For many, online therapy can be the perfect first step towards accepting this help. It even makes the process seem less daunting. According to Psychology Today, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that “online cognitive behavioural therapy is effective, acceptable, and practical health care. And equally as effective as a face-to-face treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.”
Dealing with your mental health can seem like a very daunting battle. Knowing that we live in an era where people are trying to destigmatize the illness, can help us feel better. The Internet serves as a reminder that we aren’t alone, which can go a long way in normalizing our worries. Finding small things that help us with bouts of anxiety is the first step toward regaining control over our mental wellness.