When I first sat down to think about what aspect of mental health I wanted to discuss, I’ll admit, I was stumped. It wasn’t until bad luck paid me a visit that the topic became crystal clear.
It was early Wednesday morning, a time I dedicate to my daily ritual of scrolling through TikTok (because who doesn’t need a laugh first thing, right?). But as I sat there, mindlessly swiping through my feed, something unexpected happened—my phone’s screen went dark. One minute, it was fine, and the next, green stripes. Not exactly the way I wanted to start the day.
Naturally, I did what anyone would do in a panic: I tried all the tech fixes. Powered it on, powered it off, swore at it (that part was optional). But no matter what, the green screen stuck around. The first thing I did was back my phone up, which—thankfully—was a lesson I learned from previous tech mishaps. That one little action gave me some peace of mind. A week later, after some more troubleshooting, I was restoring my backup on a new phone. Now, had this happened during a normal work week instead of over a holiday weekend, my stress levels would’ve skyrocketed. I would’ve gone from zero to one hundred real fast.
This whole experience got me thinking—how much do our devices control our lives, our productivity, and yes, even our moods?
How Much Do Your Devices Control Your Day?
Here’s the big question: How much does your phone, tablet, or watch dictate your day? And a bigger question: How does it affect your mood? I’m not going to bombard you with studies on this (because trust me, Google or Bing can do that for you), but if you’re like me, you’ve learned a lot from your own experience.
A year ago, my anxiety was on the rise. I wasn’t feeling my best, and I wanted to do something about it. That’s when I turned to something simple but effective: music therapy for anxiety. Jazz, to be specific. I started listening to it whenever I was in the car, during those moments when my mind would wander. It worked wonders for me.
But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to become more productive during my workday and stop feeling like I was constantly behind. Enter the world of audiobooks for productivity. One audiobook that was recommended to me was The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. That book is full of gems, but one of the best takeaways was how Ferriss talks about eliminating unnecessary distractions. One of my biggest distractions? Email notifications.
That little ping that would go off every time I got a new email. It was like a tiny heart attack. I felt compelled to check it immediately, no matter what I was working on. Sometimes, depending on the email, it could make or break my mood in that moment. So, I took Ferriss’s advice and turned off my email notifications. Just like that, my mood lightened, and my productivity improved. The weight I’d been carrying from that constant ping lifted off my shoulders.
Setting Boundaries: Work and Life Don’t Have to Mix
As a business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if you’re not working from sunup to sundown, you’re failing. Trust me, I’ve been there. When one of my businesses was in a downturn and I was simultaneously launching another in a new industry, the pressure to work nonstop was real. But I quickly realized that if I didn’t set boundaries, I’d burn out—and that wasn’t going to help anyone.
So, I made a choice: I separated work and home. Simple, right? Well, not always. But I made home a no-work zone. No emails. No laptop. No sneaky work thoughts creeping in. At first, this was hard to enforce, but it became a game-changer. I started feeling more present in my personal life, and guess what? My work was actually more productive because I wasn’t carrying that mental load with me everywhere I went.
The Let Them Theory: Freedom from Others’ Expectations
Here’s another game-changer for me: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Not another self-help book!” But hear me out. Robbins talks about the idea of not making yourself responsible for other people’s actions, reactions, or life choices. That’s their stuff, not yours.
It’s been a freeing realization. I stopped carrying the emotional baggage of other people’s moods or behaviors. I realized that I don’t need to fix everything, especially not other people’s problems. This shift gave me so much mental space to focus on what’s really important: me.
And I have to tell you, this is still something I’m unpacking, but the progress I’ve made has been huge. When you let go of the need to control how others feel or react, it lightens your load in ways you can’t even imagine.
Mental Health Is Personal: Time to Check In
Mental health is deeply personal. My family has a history of mental health challenges, so I’ve learned that I must actively seek ways to protect and nurture my own mental well-being. Whether it’s listening to music, setting boundaries, or learning how to not let others’ moods affect me, I’m always on the lookout for ways to take care of myself.
So, as we observe Mental Health Month this July, I encourage you to check in with yourself. How are you feeling mentally? Are there things you’re letting slip through the cracks, or devices and habits that are dictating your mood and productivity? Take some time to figure out what works for you. Is it reading (I’m all about fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal stories—take me to another world!), getting outdoors for a walk or hike, or spending time with friends who make you laugh? Whatever it is, prioritize it.
And remember, it’s okay to take a mental break. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. You’re allowed to have boundaries, to let go of the weight you carry, and to take care of your mental health. You deserve it.