technology

Why In-Person, Social Interaction Is Good For Your Brain

Why In-Person, Social Interaction Is Good For Your Brain

You've probably heard that social connections and relationships are beneficial for you, but did you know that your brain actually needs in-person social interactions with other humans?

Just as eating and drinking are essential for your body's ability to function and stay alive, in-person social connections with other humans are crucial for our brain function, health, and overall well-being. Let's explore why this is, including what happens when we become increasingly disconnected, and what we can do to ensure we are getting the in-person social connections we need.

Pause, Breathe, Disconnect: A Mindfulness Guide to Digital Wellness

Pause, Breathe, Disconnect: A Mindfulness Guide to Digital Wellness

Do you ever feel that you can never get away from your screens enough? Often, it feels as if we are attached to our screens from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep at night. The average person in the United States was shown to spend just over seven hours a day on devices with internet access (Kemp, 2024). This has resulted in Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) becoming a chronic issue in the population. While screens are indispensable, overuse can harm mental well-being. Mindfulness provides a science-backed way to mitigate these effects. 

Are You Present in Every Moment?

Are You Present in Every Moment?

Mindfulness is more than sitting in a dark room and breathing with your eyes closed. Mindfulness is the quality of our moment to moment awareness. Now, don’t get me wrong, this quality of awareness needs to be cultivated! It’s not going to just pop up willy nilly because you decided you wanted it to! It all starts with a few minutes of focused attention each day.