How to Use Technology to Strengthen Mental Health

Technology is a reality of our everyday lives. Smart, mindful, healthy use of tech can have significant, beneficial impacts on mental health. From apps to keep you organized, relaxed, and motivated, to online therapy platforms and mental wellness advice, technology can keep us connected and offer a wealth of resources and opportunities to support and enhance mental health.

Ten Ways to Use Technology for Mental Health and Wellness

1. People are Most Important: Connect with Others Virtually

• With technology, quick connections and fast, easy communication with others near and far is possible. Maintaining connections can boost mental health by decreasing feelings of isolation and increasing brain chemicals that have stress-reducing, “feel good” affects.
• Technology can strengthen mental wellness by helping us feel a sense of community and support. When we use technology to share interests, communicate positively, solve problems, maintain healthy relationships, and engage in meaningful exchanges, we can boost mood and promote healthy emotions.
• While virtual connections are not substitutes for in-person interactions, they can be a healthy way to maintain and enhance supportive relationships when being together “off-line” is not possible.
• With advances in technology, potential social isolation due to technology overuse can be concerning, but with conscious, purposeful use, technology can be an avenue for positive, supportive human interactions.

2. Improve Your Life with Online Therapy

• Online therapy can be an accessible, comfortable, affordable, and effective way to support mental health.
• Licensed mental health professionals can work with you through video conferencing, live chats, messages, or calls.
• Online therapy can cut travel time and stress, leaving valuable time for other mental health boosting activities, like exercise, sleep, relaxation, and connecting with others.
• Through online therapy, you can work with a therapist from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
• Online therapy offers a number of benefits to support mental health:
  • Effective treatment for mental health disorders.
  • Management of behavioral issues and emotional symptoms.
  • Improvement of aspects of life, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
  • New insights into yourself and others.
  • Nonjudgmental, helpful, compassionate support.
  • A confidential space for expression.
  • Greater understanding of mental health and treatments.

3. Support Mental Wellness with Self-Care and Motivational Apps

• Helpful apps are available to help manage and track behavior and emotions.
• Fitness apps can be motivating. Exercise increases endorphins—“feel good” brain chemicals—that boost mood.
• Nutrition apps can help with healthy eating, which is important for mental health.
• Sleep apps can help with the management of healthy, regular sleep patterns, which can strengthen mental wellness and the regulation of emotions.
• Meditation and deep breathing apps can help with relaxation and focusing on the moment.

4. Gain Perspective and Information from Reputable Podcasts and Websites

• Reliable podcasts and websites can offer information about mental health, emotional wellness, and effective treatments. (Ask a trusted healthcare provider for reputable sources.)
• Podcasts can offer perspectives on mental health from professionals and those who have experienced mental health challenges.
• Uplifting podcasts can boost mood.

5. Save Time and Feel More Organized with Technology

• Using calendar, reminder, and notes apps can help with organization, which in turn can lower levels of stress.
• Using online resources to take can of routine tasks can lessen stress and save time. For example, using online banking, bill paying, and appointment-making resources can help with organization and leave you with extra time for mental health boosting activities and self-care.

6. Tap into the Mental Health Benefits of Movies and TV

• Movies and TV shows can offer a healthy, enjoyable distraction.
• Laughing (and even crying) while watching can prompt an emotionally cathartic experience.
• Seeing others’ perspectives on the screen can help increase empathy—the ability to understand the feelings of others.
• TV and movies can serve as reminders that the world is full of different people facing diverse experiences.
• Watching on-screen shows can help raise awareness of how others manage issues.

7. Open an e-Book for Mental Health

• With technology, reading material is at our fingertips.
• Reading helps lower blood pressure and manage stress.
• Reading offers a connection to characters and subjects, which can increase empathy and awareness of different perspectives, circumstances, and consequences of actions.
• Reading can help lessen feelings of isolation through connections with characters.
• Reading before going to sleep can increase relaxation and lead to restorative sleep, which is important for mental wellness.

8. Cue the Music for Mental Wellness

• Music offers an array of mental health benefits, such as lowering levels of stress and anxiety and easing symptoms of depression.
• Listening to music can trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, which is linked to feelings of pleasure, and oxytocin, which is linked to feelings of love and connection.
• Music can help with mood regulation.
• Music can lower the stress hormone cortisol.
• Lyrics offer the opportunity to explore emotions and life themes.

9. Find a Creative Outlet Online

• The Internet is full of ideas for creative projects. Creative expression can help with mood regulation and relaxation.
• Painting, drawing, photography, cooking, writing, and even home improvement projects and yard work can give an emotional boost. The outcome isn’t important—the process is what can be helpful.

10. Use the Internet to plan a getaway or find outdoor places to escape

• Traveling, whether near or far, can offer an emotional re-set and an opportunity to relax and take a break from routines.
• Planning a vacation can give you something to look forward to.
• Using online resources to find natural spaces for short or long visits can be uplifting. Spending time in nature can be soothing and can lower blood pressure and cortisol, the stress hormone.

Conscious, healthy use of technology can offer many mental health benefits. Technology can be a force for good—good health, good emotions, and good behaviors.

Marie Miguel

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 MyTherapist.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.