The Mental Health Cost of Living in an Always-Online Culture

The internet has transformed how we work, communicate and spend our free time. Smartphones and social media allow us to stay connected almost constantly, but this convenience comes with a less visible cost. For many people, being permanently connected can contribute to stress, anxiety, poor sleep and feelings of inadequacy. In fact, it’s leading to all manner of mental health issues, including addiction, not just digitally, but also people turning to the likes of alcohol and drugs in order to try and disconnect. Which, naturally, isn’t healthy. You’ll find all manner of people in the likes of alcohol treatment and drugs such as ketamine rehab all as a result of the pressures of daily life, and that includes the always-online culture we’ve generated for ourselves. While, of course, technology itself is not inherently harmful, an always-online culture can make it increasingly difficult to switch off. The Pressure to Always Be Available One of the biggest consequences of constant connectivity is the expectation of immediate responses. Work emails, group chats, social media messages and notifications can follow us throughout the day, including evenings and weekends. Even when nobody ex...