By: Michael Beiter

In our increasingly connected world, the concept of a "media diet" is gaining traction. Much like the foods we consume, the media we consume affects our wellbeing. A media diet involves being mindful and selective about what, when, and how we consume digital content. This blog explores some fascinating facts about modern media use and shares a client's journey toward a healthier media diet.

Three Wild Facts About Modern Media Use

1. We Check Our Smartphones Every 10 Minutes On average, people check their smartphones every 10 minutes, totaling about 96 times a day. This habit disrupts our focus and productivity. Moreover, a study by Nottingham Trent University found that half of smartphone users check their devices even during conversations with friends and family, contributing to fragmented social interactions and reduced quality of relationships.

2. Streaming Services Produce More Content Than We Can Watch Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime release so much content that it would take over 36,000 years to watch everything currently available. This overwhelming abundance can lead to "content fatigue,” where the sheer volume of options makes it challenging to choose what to watch, leading to indecision and wasted time. Nielsen reports that the average American adult spends nearly 6 hours per day consuming video content, highlighting the significant impact of streaming services on our daily lives.

3. Social Media Algorithms Designed to Keep You Hooked Social media platforms use sophisticated algorithms to keep users engaged for as long as possible. These algorithms analyze your behavior, preferences, and interactions to serve content tailored to your interests. While this personalized feed can be entertaining, it often leads to excessive screen time. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, high social media usage is linked to increased feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety due to constant comparisons with other’s highlight reels.

A Client's Journey to a Healthier Media Diet

One of my clients shared their inspiring story of improving media habits and reclaiming their happiness:

"I have reduced my screen time by 60% in the last year and live a much happier, calmer life. I ran an experiment to test whether posting on social media directly influenced my bottom line. It didn't

I've been working on being more selective with my media consumption.

I won’t listen to every guest on Rogan passively anymore. I'll choose the most interesting ones and spend a week on an episode.

Call me an old man, but we tried to watch the Kevin Spacy documentary. We got fifteen minutes in before I could see where they were going, so I turned it off. That negativity is not worth my attention.

I've replaced a lot of podcast time with no digital stuff. Walking with my son and wife is one of my new favorite things. Being outdoors, in general, feels good!

My stance has changed on what I post, too; I don’t want to chop my entire kids’ existence up into little digestible pieces for people online to like and call that staying in touch.”

Takeaways from My Client's Experience:

1. Increased Happiness and Calmness: Reducing screen time significantly improved their mental wellbeing.

2. Business Insights: Realizing that social media posts didn't impact their business' bottom line allowed them to focus on more productive activities.

3. Selective Media Consumption: By being more selective, they found value and enjoyment in the content they chose to engage with.

4. Enhanced Real-Life Experiences: Spending more time outdoors and less on media enriched their family life and personal experiences.

Actions for a Healthier Media Diet - Use with GSPA

1. Set Precise Screen Time Limits

   • Use built-in tools on your devices, like Screen Time on iOS or Digital Wellbeing on Android, to set daily screen time limits for specific apps.

   • For example, limit social media apps to 30 minutes per day.

2. Curate Your Content Aggressively

   • Regularly review your social media feeds and unfollow accounts that don’t add value.

   • Subscribe to channels or follow people who inspire and educate you.

   • Use apps like Feedly to aggregate content from preferred sources, ensuring quality over quantity.

3. Schedule Media-Free Periods

   • Dedicate specific times of the day to be completely media-free, such as during meals, the first hour after waking up, or the last hour before bed.

   • Replace these times with activities like reading, exercising, or spending quality time with loved ones.

4. Engage in Mindful Consumption

   • When consuming media, avoid multitasking. Give your full attention to the content to enhance understanding and retention.

   • Use tools like the Pomodoro Technique to focus on one task or piece of content at a time, followed by a short break.

5. Prioritize Face-to-Face Interactions

   • Plan regular meet-ups with friends and family.

   • Engage in activities that require physical presence, such as group sports, cooking together, or participating in local community events.

The world of digital media is vast and constantly evolving, offering opportunities and challenges.

By being mindful of our media consumption and making intentional choices about what we engage with, we can reclaim our time and improve our overall wellbeing.

Be intentional with your media habits today, and you can enjoy a more deliberate, focused life. My client discovered greater happiness and calm by reducing screen time and being selective with digital content.

Remember, your diet is not just what you eat but everything you consume.