Getting lost in the phone even while sitting with loved ones, continuously checking work e-mails during lunch and typing messages in other chat boxes while talking to friends has now become a common habit of the people of Indore. Unknowingly, these screens have completely captured our every free moment. According to a reliable global research, an average citizen unlocks his phone more than 200 times a day. This increasing interference of technology is now taking a heavy toll on the mental health of the city’s working youth and families.

Digital Stress: Adopt 20 minutes ‘Green Therapy’ to reduce screen time

More than 8 hours of screen time is being spent every day, outdoor life has come to a standstill

In the early days of the Internet, people spent barely an hour a week online. But the latest report shows that today people are spending more than 8 hours every day staring at the screen. This figure is more than the total time we spend sleeping or working. Working professionals, like in the major IT hub of Indore, are now giving more importance to the small glass screen in their hands rather than the beautiful natural views. Due to this, problems like insomnia, irritability and constant fatigue have increased rapidly.

Stanford research claims: 20 minutes spent in nature will do wonders

The treatment of this serious problem is very easy and free. There is no need for any expensive therapy for this. A mega-analysis of 449 different studies by Stanford University proved that spending just 10 to 20 minutes in nature can magically improve mental health. When you go out of the house into greenery, the stress-inducing cortisol hormone in the body is reduced, heart rate improves and mood improves immediately. These biological changes have also been measured in blood and saliva tests.

Opinion of local experts and ground reality

‘Green Therapy’ for 2 hours a week: You can go to these parks of Indore

Another research from Michigan University says that a short walk in nature increases our memory and focus by 20%. For this you do not need to go to the mountains. Residents of Indore can head to their nearest parks. Time spent in a local park is equally effective. A total of two hours of ‘green therapy’ a week is enough to maintain mental and physical health. Now the time has come that people should give up the excuse of scrolling social media, turn off the screens for their health and step out into the open air.