On Saturday, I shut off my cell phone. I had a stressful weekend and I decided to shut off my phone and spend the entire day without it. I learned some real interesting lessons.

First, I went to the gym. I was able to better focus on my breathing.

Next, I went on a long nature walk. I was able to be more present in the moment and I was able to enjoy the trees and the birds and the place around me.

Next I went to whole foods and enjoyed a nice lunch. When you don't have your phone you observe the world around you much more. I noticed that everyone is on their phones. Everyone is eating alone and looking at their phones.

This got me a little sad because if there is one thing in the world that should bring people together, it should be food.

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

Article Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

3 in 4 america teens have an iPhone. It's making them more lonely.
56% of highschool seniors in 2015 went on dates in contrast to 85% of boomers and gen x's.
The user of illicit drugs has fallen to their lowers points in 40 years.

I would rather them be on drugs.

Research Links Heavy Facebook And Social Media Usage To Depression

Article Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2016/04/30/study-links-heavy-facebook-and-social-media-usage-to-depression/#34f10bb34b53

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine recently conducted a study about the effects of social media habits on the moods of users. Study was conducted by Brian A. Primack, M.D., Ph.D.

To sumarize the study, Primack did a poll of 1,787 adults in the U.S. between the ages of 19 and 32. Young adults that frequented social media were 2.7 times more likely to suffer from depression.

Why would heavy social media usage cause depression? The exposure to “highly idealized representations of peers on social media elicits feelings of envy and the distorted belief that others lead happier, more successful lives,” says the study.

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How to Publish Your Own Book with Matt West - EP 57

The Tim Stodz PodcastBy Tim StoddartAug 15, 2018