“Too much screen time compromises both our mental and physical health. We are made to be in motion and in relation (live) with others.”
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Wyatt Fisher, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of www.ChristianCrush.com.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your backstory?
I’m a Clinical Psychologist and work with families and couples in my private practice on a myriad of topics, including tech.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most interesting insights I’ve had is my success as a psychologist can’t hinge upon the success of my clients because I can’t control all of the choices they make in between sessions. The only thing I can control is how well I’m providing counseling services during my 45-minute session with them.
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now?
Yes, working on a new app to help couples stay in love.
Between work and personal life, the average adult spends nearly 11 hours looking at a screen per day. How does our increasing screen time affect our mental, physical, and emotional health?
Too much screen time compromises both our mental and physical health. We are made to be in motion and in relation (live) with others. Too much tech pushes us away from both.
Can you share your top five ways people can improve mental wellness and create a healthy relationship with technology?
- Boundaries for relationships. One tip is to set boundaries with tech to cultivate important relationships in your life. For example, couples can agree to leave their tech outside the bedroom from 9pm on each night to give each other undivided attention.
- Boundaries for work. A second recommendation is to set limits on devices and work computers throughout the day. For example, you can leave your phone in the car while you’re at work so you only check it during breaks. You also can install a filter on your computer that only provides access to work related sites.
- Boundaries for balance. A third recommendation is to have a once week digital Sabbath where you go without tech for an extended period of time to spend time with hobbies, nature, people, etc without the distraction of tech.
- Boundaries with family. A fourth recommendation is for parents to turn off wifi in their home after a certain time each night to encourage family time and sound sleep without the distraction of tech.
- Boundaries for friendships. Fifth, get in the habit of spending time with friends without your phone. The temptation to check notifications can often be too hard to resist and each time we do so it harms the relationship with the person we are with.
51% of Americans say they primarily use their smartphone for calls. With the number of robocalls increasing, what are ways people can limit interruptions from spam calls?
Check who’s calling before answering. If you don’t recognize the number, let voice mail pick up.
Between social media distractions, messaging apps, and the fact that Americans receive 45.9 push notifications each day, Americans check their phones 80 times per day. How can people, especially younger generations, create a healthier relationship with social media?
First, they must be educated on some of the liabilities that comes with too much tech because they often only see the advantages. Second, they must see you having a healthy relationship with tech. Third, help them establish boundaries with tech so they can access the benefit without risking the disadvantages.
80% of smartphone users check their phones before they brush their teeth in the morning. What effect does starting the day this way have on people? Is there a better morning routine you suggest?
Checking one’s smartphone first thing in the morning creates a sense of chaos, social comparison, and often anxiety. Instead, people should cultivate more nurturing habits in the morning, such as meditation, exercise, journaling, etc.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote?
“Don’t worry about what the world needs, worry about what makes you come alive because what the world needs is people who come alive.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a campaign on helping couples have happier marriages. When couples increase their happiness and thus commitment, children and communities benefit as well.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
https://www.facebook.com/christian.dating.singles
Thank you for this interview, Dr. Fisher. It was very insightful!
This interview is part of an interview series by Dan Pannasch, Product Manager of RoboKiller, the robocall blocking app that gets even with spammers. You can check it out at robokiller.com.
Originally published at medium.com