Movie Recommendation: The Social Dilemma (Netflix)
If you haven’t already heard of this film, chances are you will soon enough (besides my mention of it here). This is a documentary (with some dramatic scenes woven in to help illustrate the filmmaker’s points) that reveals the destructiveness of social media. I’m reluctant to give more details than that, for fear that if I do, readers will be less likely to watch it. I will say that it’s important to bear in mind that this is not another conspiracy-theory doc; the people interviewed in the film who condemn these platforms the most are the very people who helped to create them.
Why is this film worthy of a mention in a health and wellness newsletter? Since "health and wellness" is a broad term that includes subdomains in many different aspects of life (food, exercise, relationships, work-life balance, mental health), it’s important for us to remember that being healthy is about more than just eating well and moving your body daily. Not only has much been written about the research-supported evidence that social media is bad for your mental health, social media can also influence—positively or negatively—other aspects of your life, such as (but not limited to) food and exercise.
In order to safeguard ourselves from the potentially negative, false and misinformed opinions on social media, we have to reject it.
Every now and again I do an experiment for a coupe of weeks. When I notice that I’m feeling particularly depressed, irritable, anxious or angry, I do a social media "detox". As you know, I’m very much against "detoxes"and "cleanses" when it comes to food; in this case, however, we’re talking about something that is genuinely toxic and that is worth cleansing from your life. Why? Watch the movie.
Almost immediately, once I get past the initial FOMO, I start to feel happier and am more productive. No surprise there. Like you, I’ve seen the web articles that say things like, "leaving social media is 40-50% as effective as cognitive therapy in combating depression", I’ve seen news items about how social media is destroying the self-esteem of our children, but the backstory of how companies like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube really make their revenue and how it changes the entire fabric of a society is what pushed me over the edge.
Unfortunately for me, some of the work that I do on the side requires me to maintain social media accounts: so it’s impossible (at least right now) for me to abandon it entirely. In the film, they discuss how these apps are engineered to be as addictive as slot machines, targeting your behavior and brain chemistry. Needless to say, it’s a tough opponent to do battle with. Instead of trying to use sheer will power, I’ve downloaded several apps that I use to severely limit my social media use, and I have to report that it’s improved my mood and mental state tremendously.
Here are a few that I recommend, if you’d like to check them out.
For what it’s worth, both Apple and Google have baked digital well-being apps into their latest operating systems…so what does that tell you?
If you’re wondering, "but Laura, how will I stay in touch with my friends and family?" Maybe give letter-writing a try.
Have you struggled with a problematic relationship with social media? Have you seen the Social Dilemma and have an opinion? Let’s talk about it!
Let Me Take Something off your Plate
Huel is a nutritionally complete meal that I basically live on. Don't get me wrong, I love a good meal as much as anyone; but making sure I eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay within my budget is a genuine challenge. Huel eliminated that stress for me. Actually, I wrote all about it here in my now-retired Yoga blog.
They've expanded their product line since I wrote it, and you can help crack the code of which Huel product is right for you here:
Wanna try it? Here’s a Huel discount code https://huel.mention-me.com/m/ol/dg4ts-laura-rebecca (rewards link)
You can also apply the discount by looking for "Been referred by a friend?" in the Huel checkout and enter Laura Rebecca.
Free 10-Day Yoga Program via Wanderlust
Wanderlust , the global festival and fitness brand, is launching a free 10-day yoga series called It Starts At Home. Led by accomplished London-based teacher Hannah Barrett, It Starts at Home is a free 10-day program of daily 30-min yoga classes suitable for all ability and experience levels.
I'm a big fan of Wanderlust's classes (I went often when they still had a studio in Hollywood prior to COVID-19), so I imagine they will deliver similar quality with this online course as well.
I'm doing it! Wanna join me? https://wanderlust.com/wltv/2021-10-day-challenge
Hey friends, I’m taking the following week off. Hope you get to take some time off as well, even if it means staying home and snuggling with a fur friend.
Do you have a fur friend? Can you borrow one? Tell me what kind in the comments!
Until next time, Be Well!
Laura the Health Coach