Mental Health Crisis - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24 in the United States [1] - Poor mental health is a significant problem, but solutions are available [1] Factors Contributing to Declining Mental Health - Excessive screen time distracts and lowers self-esteem [3] - Unhealthy diets of junk food negatively impact the gut-brain connection, studied in nutritional psychiatry [4] - Daily challenges, though seemingly small, compound over time and negatively affect mental health [5] Impact of Technology - Teenagers spend an average of 6 to 8 hours per day on devices for leisure [6] - Excessive device usage correlates with increased stress, depression, and anxiety [7] - Smartphones, with their combination of camera, internet, and social media, can negatively impact mental health [7] Mitigation Strategies - Meditation can be used as a tool to improve mental health [8][14] - Meditation cultivates patience, focus, and mindfulness [11] - Mindfulness skills learned through meditation can lead to a calmer mind, improved concentration, and a solid foundation for good mental health [12][13]

What if I told you that social media algorithms function much like your own mind. And when you're scrolling, you are not just killing time, but looking at your digital mirror. Shocking, right.Let me explain it to you with an analogy. When a thought triggers a strong emotional reaction, it tends to resurface in your mind repeatedly. The same happens for the algorithms.When you react emotionally to a post, the algorithm takes note and it will likely show you that type of content or something very very similar ...

taking care of tomorrow today when future you overwhelms present you in high school. Picture this. It's a Wednesday night and you're sitting at your desk surrounded by textbooks, unfinished assignments, and a growing sense of panic.A big test looms tomorrow. Your phone buzzes. It's your girlfriend texting you that it's her girlfriend's that it's her grandmother's birthday party and you're invited.You think about it and hesitate. Should you go. Why not.You go and you get this sense of relief when you get the ...