Positive Technology: 3 Internet Activities For A Healthy Mind

In the last decade, the ‘industry’ of self-improvement has exploded. People searching for ways to regain control of their lives are becoming more anxious and depressed due to excessive screen time and poor habits. According to recent research, adults who spend more than 6 hours a day aimlessly staring at a screen are more likely to develop moderate to severe bouts of depression

Sound minds are associated with success. Activities you choose to pursue directly or indirectly affect your ability to think critically and, therefore, affect the quality of your life. Therefore, watching endless hours of television or scrolling through social media when you have a moment of free time will set you up for failure.

Bad habits are difficult to break once you have formed them. Healthy habits like working out or reading are difficult to establish, as anyone who has tried can attest. The reason for this is that the brain builds robust neural pathways that lead to harmful behavior over time. Therefore, creating new habits means building new neural pathways.

As an analogy, imagine your old habit as a deep trench in which it is easy to jump in and follow, while the new habit you wish to cultivate as a shallow line in the sand that can be easily washed away.

With today’s technology, you’re never far from a device that can enhance your life and strengthen your brain. Unfortunately, you can get sucked into the internet’s world too easily. In one sense, it takes up all your time and gives you nothing in return except brain fog and anxiety. In spite of this, if used properly – that is, as a tool – it can be quite beneficial.

This list outlines three such activities, why they are beneficial to you, and how you can start your journey to a healthier mind just by opening a new tab.

Do Jigsaw Puzzles Online

A jigsaw puzzle presents a tremendous opportunity for brain development. Jigsaw puzzles can improve your cognitive abilities and speed up your brain’s processing speed, according to Forbes.

You can add a great deal of value to your life by engaging in online jigsaw puzzles. Puzzles can have a number of beneficial effects on your brain. By putting together a puzzle, for instance, you stimulate the areas of your brain responsible for focus and short-term memory. The act of completing a jigsaw puzzle boosts cognitive abilities and boosts productivity and creativity, so why not give it a shot?

Meditation and yoga sessions on YouTube

Many years ago, meditation and yoga were thought to be the domain of Nepalese monks living at the base of Mount Everest. In the west, yoga and meditation are becoming more popular as the benefits become more evident.

Meditation and yoga have a number of health benefits, ranging from preserving a brain’s aging process to reducing activity in the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex, resulting in less anxiety and depression.

While that’s all well and good, many people are unable to afford to go on a meditation or yoga retreat or have private sessions. Therefore, yoga is often viewed as a luxury for the wealthy. These days, however, there is nothing to suggest that is the case.

There are some swanky yoga studios and indulgent meditation retreats you will need to pay for if you want to attend. Online, you can find everything you need for practitioners who want the good stuff that can transform their brain and their lives.

For a calmer, more centered mind, you can access free meditation and yoga content on YouTube and apps like Insight Timer. The possibilities are there if you know where to search.

Consider Online Courses

Innovative technology surrounds us everywhere we turn, bringing us closer to our future. Sci-fi ideas have become commonplace in our daily lives. However, they are so numerous that we take them for granted.

One such luxury is online education. The convenience of learning from the comfort of your living room opens up the world to everyone.

Understanding new subjects require a lot of mental energy. The brain creates new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones each time it learns something new. This is called ‘plasticity,’ which translates to your brain as a self-improvement powerhouse.

Traditional classroom courses are often not taken by many people due to numerous barriers. People who desire to expand their knowledge experience are hindered by the cost, distance, time, and – in modern times – the pandemic.

With online courses, that problem is solved because it’s easier than ever before to learn something new without all the hassle. Create an account on a website like Teachable, sign up for a course, and stay committed. It won’t take long to start seeing benefits.

Final thoughts

Making the right choices at the beginning is the key to success in any self-improvement program. It is important to find something you are passionate about and to begin on a small scale.

Stick to one jigsaw puzzle per day or every few days. Be persistent if your results don’t come fast. You’re building your mental strength just by showing up every day. Studies have shown that consistency is beneficial on its own. So get to work, and set your path in motion!