Why Lisa Ling limits her kids' social media use, funky pickleball sets, and bird song for mental health.
| | | | Happy Friday, Wellness Wire fam! How are we all feeling today? | | Too much social media use can bring people down, so I hope you have solid boundaries in place to help keep your mental health in check. That's what we're chatting about with acclaimed journalist and TV personality Lisa Ling today. | | After our Q&A with Lisa, we'll be covering other topics like: | | | | | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
July 14, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | Lisa Ling has covered impactful national and international news for more than 20 years. Now, she's on a mission to protect children by speaking out about the negative effects of social media use. Read some of our favorite clips from our chat with Ling below. | | *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. | | Q: | What inspired you to start reporting on youth mental health and social media use? | | | A: For me, the issue of youth mental health has become one of my biggest priorities. In particular, I have tremendous concern about the impact that technology is having on our kids' brains and behavioral health. | | I'll be honest, 10 years ago when my little girl was a baby, I didn't know any better so I'd constantly give her a device to placate her. Whenever she was fussy or temperamental, I'd give her my phone and I knew instantly that that would calm her down. I could see the behavioral changes whenever I'd try to take it away from her. There was nothing that compared. She'd rather forgo playing or interacting with other kids to have a device in her hand. | | For most human beings, middle school [is] perhaps [when we're] the most vulnerable. We're bombarded by feelings that we have difficulty identifying, and now add to that these devices […] and how much control these algorithms have over our minds [...] it's just become such an important issue for me to speak out on. | | Q: | How has implementing digital boundaries with your kids worked out? | | | A: I try hard, but it's a daily struggle. Even if I don't allow them to use [their devices], they're trying to get mine. Sadly, kids don't know how to be bored anymore. They feel like they need to fill every second. | | [I'm] just trying to delay the inevitable because I'm certain that kids are going to become as addicted as adults have become. But in this crucial stage of brain development, I want to try and protect them as long as I can. | | Q: | Do you have any words of support or encouragement for parents looking to follow suit? | | | A: This isn't an attempt to shame anyone. We're all in this together. I'm trying to sound the alarm to other parents so that they don't repeat the behavior that I employed when my kid was a baby. | | To read more parenting content, check out our Parenthood hub. Don't forget to scroll down to the end of this email to rate this interview! | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | On Holiday Pickleball Two Paddle Set | | ICYMI: Pickleball is taking over the world. It's been gaining popularity in recent years as a fun, effective workout to play with friends and family. If you're in the market for your very first pickleball set or you want to level up your OG gear, check out On Holiday's bundle deals. Each set comes with your choice of patterned paddles, pickleballs, and tour bag. I have my own custom set, and yes, they're as stylish and functional as they seem. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Let the birds boost your mood | Old news: Going outside is good for your mental health. New news: More specifically, listening to birdsong can reduce stress and boost your mood.
Birds for brains. A 2022 study found that listening to 6-minute clips of birds singing can relieve feelings of depression, anxiety, and paranoia. On the flip side, those who listened to traffic noises reported experiencing more depressive symptoms.
How to peck into those perks. Of course, listening to birdsong while going for a stroll is a double-whammy for mental and physical health. But you don't even need to leave your house to reap these benefits! Simply opening your windows or listening to a YouTube video can offer similar effects. Need an even easier place to start? Become more mindful of the birds around you.
Now excuse me while my cat and I enjoy the birds eating from our feeder …
More on the link between nature and well-being: | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We'll see you again on Monday.
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