If you feel like you are always looking at a screen, you're not alone. Australians devote eight times more hours to screen time than with their loved ones, a new survey shows.
Australians devote eight times more hours to screen time than with their loved ones, a new survey shows, according to an article on ABC News.
The survey, conducted by suicide prevention charity R U OK?, revealed respondents spent an average of 46 hours a week looking at a screen, compared to disconnecting for six hours to spend with family and friends.
And half of the respondents spent two hours or less with family and friends.
Clinical psychologist on the R U OK? think tank panel Rachel Clements, said this behaviour could be damaging.
"It definitely has an impact on mental health, in terms of low mood, ability to get through difficult situations, having someone to talk to, to debrief with," Clements said.
"Those types of relationships, if they're strong and they're around us, they're big protective factors in keeping us well.
"Staying connected to people, reaching out to people and having really good relationships is a really positive thing.
"When people are disconnected, when we pull away or withdraw from others, it means that if challenges or obstacles or difficult times come our way it can make those times a little tougher to get through."
The biggest obstacles to staying connected with close family and friends were distance and feeling tired, according to the ABC News article.
"We're busy, we're doing a lot more than we've ever done … [so] finding that time, or really making that time, falls off the radar a lot more easily," said Clements.
Ambassador for the charity and former rugby league player Brett Finch said he will be looking to reconnect with friends on R U OK? Day and throughout the year, according to ABC News.
"It can be easy to lose contact with people who matter to us because life's hectic," Finch said.
"Even if you can't be there in person, pick up the phone and give someone you care about a call. It's worth the effort.
"Having been through some personal battles in recent years, I know how important it is that we've got good mates and family to talk to.
"I'm so grateful that my family and mates reached out to me when I was at my lowest point. I know the difference a sense of connection and support can make.
"That's why I want others to do the same for the people in their world."
A 1,000 adults in included in the study.
The survey, conducted by suicide prevention charity R U OK?, revealed respondents spent an average of 46 hours a week looking at a screen, compared to disconnecting for six hours to spend with family and friends.
And half of the respondents spent two hours or less with family and friends.
Clinical psychologist on the R U OK? think tank panel Rachel Clements, said this behaviour could be damaging.
"It definitely has an impact on mental health, in terms of low mood, ability to get through difficult situations, having someone to talk to, to debrief with," Clements said.
"Those types of relationships, if they're strong and they're around us, they're big protective factors in keeping us well.
"Staying connected to people, reaching out to people and having really good relationships is a really positive thing.
"When people are disconnected, when we pull away or withdraw from others, it means that if challenges or obstacles or difficult times come our way it can make those times a little tougher to get through."
The biggest obstacles to staying connected with close family and friends were distance and feeling tired, according to the ABC News article.
"We're busy, we're doing a lot more than we've ever done … [so] finding that time, or really making that time, falls off the radar a lot more easily," said Clements.
Ambassador for the charity and former rugby league player Brett Finch said he will be looking to reconnect with friends on R U OK? Day and throughout the year, according to ABC News.
"It can be easy to lose contact with people who matter to us because life's hectic," Finch said.
"Even if you can't be there in person, pick up the phone and give someone you care about a call. It's worth the effort.
"Having been through some personal battles in recent years, I know how important it is that we've got good mates and family to talk to.
"I'm so grateful that my family and mates reached out to me when I was at my lowest point. I know the difference a sense of connection and support can make.
"That's why I want others to do the same for the people in their world."
A 1,000 adults in included in the study.
