logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
1h 19m

TMHS 765 - How Social Media Impacts Huma...

SHAWN STEVENSON
About this episode

Daily social media use is a common practice in our modern society. And while there are many benefits to utilizing the power of social media, it can also negatively impact our mental health, sleep quality, weight, and productivity levels. The key to healthier technology habits is to practice more awareness and intentionality.  

On this episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to hear from two incredibly intelligent experts on the topic of technology, social media, and focus. Adam Alter and Cal Newport are sharing powerful insights into the deceptive ways technology can distract us, and what we can do to create stronger boundaries around our devices and apps.  

You’re going to learn about how technology is intentionally designed to distract you, how things like Facebook likes can destroy your self-esteem, and the major problem with exposing our kids to social media. This episode contains tangible tools and strategies you can use to set limits around screen time, take back control of your focus, and spend your time more purposefully doing the things that you love and value. Enjoy! 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • The connection between screen time and body weight in adolescents. 
  • How many times per day the average person checks their phone. 
  • The fascinating way tech products are designed to hook us. 
  • How having your phone nearby can weaken your connection with others. 
  • Why your willpower is like a gas tank. 
  • How social media apps are purposely designed to override your willpower. 
  • The smartest feature Facebook designed to hijack our attention.
  • Why humans are designed to latch onto negative feedback. 
  • What behavioral addiction is. 
  • How context affects addiction.
  • What digital amnesia is. 
  • How to intentionally create time during your day without screens.
  • Why concentrating intensely allows you to learn complicated things faster. 
  • What the digital attention economy is, and how it affects our kids. 
  • Why we should demand more focus in our lives.
  • What attention residue is, and why we should be worried about it. 
  • Different scheduling philosophies you can use to get into deep work. 
  • Why you should practice being bored. 
  • How narrowing your attention can make you happier and more successful. 

Items mentioned in this episode include:

Be sure you are subscribed to this podcast to automatically receive your episodes: 

Join TMHS Facebook community - Model Nation 

Up next
Yesterday
Why We Feel So Overwhelmed & How to Get Help in a Hurry - With Dr. Caroline Leaf
Most folks today can relate to feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Our fast-paced world isn’t slowing down anytime soon, so if we want some relief, we need to build emotional resiliency and inner peace. On this episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to learn practical, scien ... Show More
1h 33m
Jul 7
The Surprising Truth About Longevity Medicine – with Dr. Darshan Shah
In our modern healthcare system, most people don’t realize they’ve developed a chronic illness until their quality of life is reduced by painful symptoms. But if you regularly measure and monitor your body’s biomarkers, you’re much more likely to prevent disease and extend your h ... Show More
1h 8m
Jul 2
Fix Your Feet, Improve Your Sleep, & Transform Your Health
If you want to improve your health, you’ll have to be aware of the cultural and environmental factors that influence your behaviors. Everything from passed-down family beliefs to availability of foods can affect the choices you make. Today you’re going to learn about how our cult ... Show More
1h 5m
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
How Smartphones Are Rewiring Our Brains, Why Social Media is Eradicating Childhood & The Truth About The Mental Health Epidemic with Jonathan Haidt #456
Today’s episode is about a topic that I am truly passionate about - the introduction of social media and smartphones into all aspects of our lives - and what impact this is having on us individually, collectively and, perhaps most urgently, what impact is this having on our child ... Show More
2h 4m
Nov 2020
How Addictive Technology Keeps You Hooked with Professor Adam Alter #132
Do you find it hard to resist the ping of a new email, the urge to scroll on social media, or watch the next episode when streaming? Do you wish you could stop checking, clicking, liking and sharing? Then put down your phone and listen to this episode. My guest today is Adam Alte ... Show More
1h 27m
Sep 2023
6 Step Plan To Block Social Media From Controlling Your Life And Mind
How many of us spend our free time on social media? Do you find yourself becoming unproductive because of it? Today, we will unravel the ways in which social media can subtly control our minds and lifestyles. The journey begins by acknowledging that if we don't learn to use techn ... Show More
29m 25s
Jul 2022
Why You Need To Break Your Social Media Dependency
More than 330 million people suffer from social media addiction worldwide – using it as a way to escape, leading to information overload and unrealistic expectations. Isa Watson decided to change that by shifting from physical scientist to social scientist and building Squad, the ... Show More
39m 56s
Nov 2022
How Scarcity Influences What You Buy & How Social Media Clouds Your Perception
Your doctor is supposed to wash his or her hands between patients. But sometimes doctors forget. Would you speak up if you saw that and ask your doctor to wash up? This episode begins with a look at this important problem. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-hospitals-want-patients- ... Show More
52m 36s
Apr 2023
#193 Why you can’t focus with Johann Hari
Warning: Today’s episode contains strong languageI’m chatting with Johann Hari today, the international bestselling author of ‘Chasing the Scream’, ‘Lost Connections’ and the latest book ‘Stolen Focus’. Today’s conversation is fascinating. I often find myself opening tabs and not ... Show More
1h 22m
Jun 2024
Jonathan Haidt: Why Social Media Has Caused a Collapse in Mental Health & #1 Way to Solve Your Anxiety
How are smartphones linked to anxiety? What mental health issues are linked to excessive social media use? Today, let's welcome Jonathan Haidt is a renowned social psychologist, professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, and a widely published author. He is know ... Show More
1h 22m
Jun 2024
Dr. Jonathan Haidt: How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Ph.D., professor of social psychology at New York University and bestselling author on how technology and culture impact the psychology and health of kids, teens, and adults. We discuss the dramatic rise of suicide, depression, and ... Show More
2h 26m
Aug 2023
S3 Ep1: Tech, Social Media, AI and Mental Health
This week, Rachel is joined by Georgie Barrat, a tech journalist and TV presenter, best known as the co-host of Channel 5’s The Gadget Show. We’ll be discussing technology, social media and how the intriguing but slightly scary world of AI might be impacting our mental health.  E ... Show More
37m 58s