How to Use Technology to Boost Your Mood

As the world becomes more connected due to the spread of the Internet and technology, there seems to be a wider impact on mental health throughout first world countries. As negative news becomes easy and quick to digest using smartphones and tablets while social media channels continue to push forward a display of perfect lives, many people are finding themselves more depressed and anxious than ever before.

However, there are a number of ways people can actually use technology to improve their mood. For example, you can use technology to view movies and videos that bring you happiness. Fitbits and nutrition or diet apps can also improve your mood if you eat the right foods and continue exercising. Lastly, there are mobile applications that can teach you how to meditate or listen to music to help you stay calm.

Have you ever gone to the movie theater and found your mood boost instantly? The same can be said from staying at home on a Friday night with a bag of popcorn and watching happy movies on your laptop or television with your friends or family. There are tons of comedies you can find on Netflix or Amazon prime to boost your mood. However, be aware that using Internet applications leads to netflow collecting your network traffic data.

There are a wide variety of movies to choose from such as romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally or an exciting action-packed movie like Spiderman. In fact, the reputable Everyday Health website outlines a number of different movies that are meant to boost your spirits.

For a great romantic movie, Love Actually is advised to see how love among family, friends, and romantic interests makes life worthwhile. Additionally, family-friendly childhood movies such as Up and Babe will leave you feeling happier and more up-beat.

Along with watching films to boost your mood, implementing health-based mobile apps as well as fitbits could be using technology to your advantage since exercise and nutrition is known to strengthen your mental health.

The American Psychological Association describes how mental health professionals should begin incorporating exercise into their treatment program especially in terms of anxious or depressed patients. As such, using fitbits to get people walking, running, or any form of exercise could be significant in helping improve their mood.

"I often recommend exercise for my psychotherapy clients, particularly for those who are anxious or depressed," Jennifer Carter, PhD, counseling and sport psychologist at the Center for Balanced Living, told the news source.

Some research studies have also found that fitness trackers and fitbits have a direct effect on encouraging greater physical activity among people who rarely exercise. In fact, studies have shown that using a fitness tracker such as a wearable device or a more typical pedometer can lead you to walk an additional mile or more per day, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

All of the extra exercise will surely boost your mood! In addition, nutrition apps can help you eat the right foods. In order to become more calm and happier, you can track the foods you eat with a nutrition app that suggests healthy items. This may include eating fish and selenium-rich foods like whole wheat breads, lean lamb, sunflower seeds, eggs, pinto beans, and low-fat yogurt, according to WebMD.

With the right foods and exercise, your mood is sure to improve. The technology age also brought apps to help you learn to meditate, which is sure to enhance your mental health.

If you are regularly feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed out, mindfulness meditation could help manage your anxiety or sadness, according to National Public Radio. In fact, one study found that, with only 2.5 hours of mindful meditation per week, modest improvements in mental health were visible.

Listening to music can also be helpful since music therapy has been shown to have a calming effect on many patients and boost people's moods. For more information about the type of mobile apps to help your mental health, check out this list of the best mental health apps.

In a world of instant news and negativity, the Technology Age can actually be used to an advantage to boost happiness and mood. With the help of comedic and entertaining movies, fitness trackers, nutrition apps, and meditation or music apps, you can lead a happier and more calm life.