All About Social Media Addiction Treatment in Kona

Over the past years, browsing through social media has become a popular pastime. And while social media use is not harmful in and of itself, some people develop an addiction to social media. They end up using it compulsively or excessively. Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable. They become fixated on social media and cannot cut down or stop using it. And they do it despite its apparent adverse effects and serious disadvantages. If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing an increasingly unhealthy relationship with social media, be sure to get social media addiction treatment in Kona before social media addiction gets worse.

While many people do not experience difficulty in managing their time on social media, some of us truly struggle. The more you use social media, the more likely it becomes that you will run into its drawbacks. The following are some of the dangerous effects of excessively using social media:

• Comparing yourself to others and having low self-esteem

• Increased loneliness and isolation

• Fear of missing out and feeling excluded

• Depression or anxiety

• Humiliation and social anxiety

• Being exposed to bullies, trolls, and unpleasant people

• Getting less sleep due to the effects of blue light

• Ignoring your real-life relationships

• Exposure to false information and news

• Increasingly extreme viewpoints as a result of biased personalized content

• Becoming addicted to the internet

How to determine if you have a social media addiction?

Social media addiction is not an official medical diagnosis. Yet. However, a psychiatrist can determine if your usage of social media is at a safe level.

Here are some of the symptoms they will be looking for:

• Extensive use of social media

• Feeling frequent thoughts or urges to check social networking sites

• Relationship issues or problems brought on by social media use

• Compromising daily activities and responsibilities due to social media

• Reducing enjoyment of events to increase the use of social media

• Feeling uncomfortable when you stop or reduce usage

• Having difficulties stopping or cutting back

• Adverse effects on one's physical or mental health

• Continued usage of social media despite issues, drawbacks, or limitations

• Using in unsafe situations (i.e., while driving or working)

• Decreased engagement with people in real life

• Requiring more time, likes, or followers to experience the same level of satisfaction or enjoyment on social media

How to Stop Social Media Addiction

Set strict time restrictions

You should limit your time on social media, first and foremost. It's not harmful when you use it minimally, after all. For instance, you can use a timer or an app that restricts your usage after a specific time. A time limit of 15 minutes is suitable to prevent it from becoming a problem.

Use only one app

It might also be helpful to stick with just one social media app rather than downloading several. It is crucial to stop using social media again if problems occur quickly.

Create a Powerful Support System

Additionally, a support system can help you curb your urges. The ideal support system consists of close friends, family, loved ones, a therapist, and a support group. There are different ways to utilize your support group. You can choose to have an “accountability buddy”…one person who you keep in regular touch with to let them know how you are doing on your journey. You can also attend a support group with other people who are experiencing the same thing as you.

Examples of things you might share with your support system:

• Your social media goals

• Your plan-of-action

• How you are feeling

• Any difficulties along the way

• Successes

• “Relapses” (when you aren’t able to stay the course you set out for yourself)

• A request for help

Develop Positive Offline Habits

The best activities are those that can be done offline and that promote health and wellness. Exercising or finding a new hobby that doesn't involve social media is especially helpful. Positive self-talk will boost your self-esteem and lessen your need to be noticed on social media. Do you have anything you have always wanted to learn, or get better at? Playing an instrument, a form of art, a physical feat like a competing in a race or doing a difficult yoga move? The list of hobbies and possibilities are endless. When you engage in passion and put your mind to something, you will begin to remember just how amazing life offscreen really is.

Social Media Addiction Treatment in Kona

Anyone looking for addiction treatment centers in Hawaii to overcome social media addiction in Kona might find solace at Honu House Hawaii. Get in touch with us today!

Why the Need to Seek Gaming Addiction Help in Hawaii?

Video games can be a fun recreational activity, but gaming addiction can lead to many problems. The increased popularity of video games has resulted in a massive increase in the number of people reporting negative impacts from video games. It causes issues in various areas of a person's life, including physical and mental health. So if you're looking for gaming addiction help in Hawaii, let’s make sure you understand what it is, first.

What are the symptoms of gaming addiction?

Similar to other addictions, video game addiction has warning signs. If you or a loved one is a serious gamer, you should be able to recognize these indicators. While some gamers find it difficult to cut back on their gaming time, others do not have cravings if they cannot play.

Physical Symptoms

It's completely acceptable to use video games as a form of escape. But for some people, a hobby can quickly develop into a habit. And sometimes, it can lead to an addiction. Playing games for small bursts of time is unlikely to be harmful to your physical health. Playing for multiple hours on end, for many days in a row, however? That can actually be really physically damaging. If you are someone who spends most of your time glued to your video games you could be forgetting to eat, drink water, exercise, and take care of your general health. In turn, you might only eat and drink things that are quick and easy in order to avoid interrupting your game, and therefore your diet is probably lacking in nutrition, and is high in sugar and caffeine. Spend so much time in this “other realm” means your body starts to suffer bodily harm in this one.

Here are the common harmful physical symptoms of gaming addiction:

• Poor sleep hygiene

• Dehydration

• Muscle atrophy

• Poor concentration

• Heart problems

• Obesity

• Fatigue

• Migraine

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Back, neck, and shoulder pain

• Issues with eyesight

Mental Symptoms

When your physical health suffers, so does your mental health.

Constantly playing online games is not enough to qualify as a disorder. It is only when playing games excessively (for extended periods of time, constantly, without being able to stop) causes a real disruption and disturbance of daily life that it turns from being called a hobby to being called a mental or behavioral disorder. Struggles in social life, schooling, and family connections are some of the more commonly seen effects of this disorder. Unfortunately, even when you quit playing games, it could take time for your brain to adjust so that you can appreciate activities with less excitement.

The following are a few mental indications or symptoms of video game addiction:

• Feelings of agitation and restlessness while unable to play

• Preoccupation with recent online activities or excitement for the next online session

• Lying to friends or family about the quantity of time spent playing

• Isolation from people to devote more time to gaming 

• More likely to have depression and social anxiety

• Suicidal ideas and other co-morbidities

Why the need to seek gaming addiction help in Hawaii?

Honu House Hawaii is ready to assist you if you need gaming addiction help in Hawaii. You will receive a variety of assistance to make the transition to a new way of living more accessible, in addition to the security of living in a clean and sober atmosphere. We provide the best food, transportation, and vocational needs during your transitional wellness program. Oftentimes, the detox from gaming is what people struggle with the most. Our treatment center is designed to not only assist you in this process, but to help thrust you into the beauty and excitement of real life.

At Honu House Hawaii, we are unique in that we focus our healing not just on one aspect of self, but on all the aspects. We have advanced clinical therapies, incredible physical nourishment, a supportive and safe community, stimulating nature adventures, and a huge toolbox of techniques to bring you back to happiness and wellness. Remember, if you feel hopeless: you aren’t. We are here to help. So reach out to us today.

The 5 Stages of Mental Health Recovery on the Big Island

Are you living on The Big Island and found yourself searching for “mental health recovery near me”? You aren’t the only one. Many residents seek help in bettering their mental health. And luckily, there is help nearby!

Mental health recovery can mean different things to different individuals. For some, recovery means no longer presenting or experiencing symptoms of their mental illness. For others, it could be about finally taking control of their lives. Recovery could also be about simply finding new ways to live and experience the lives they have dreamed of, but couldn’t quite attain. If you find yourself seeking solutions for your mental health difficulties, for whatever reason, it's important to understand that recovery doesn't necessarily mean “cure”. Instead, mental health recovery is a continuous process that empowers individuals to live meaningful lives with a broad range of tools.

Mental Health Recovery Near You on The Big Island: It’s Possible!

Recovery might initially seem intimidating, especially for people who haven't worked through their mental health concerns yet. Doing something new can feel scary. But trust us, it’s not!

It can also be intimidating if someone has tried before and had poor or off-putting experiences. We wholeheartedly encourage you to keep an open heart and an open mind. Sometimes, the “help” we thought we were getting in the past simply wasn’t right for us. Unfortunately, it happens sometimes. But this in no way means that the help you are about to receive isn’t the life-changing medicine you need. Don’t give up!!

You are not alone. You do not need to do any of this alone. Instead, you can do it step by step with the help of a caring, understanding professional. If you’re looking for mental health recovery near you on the Big Island, we want to walk you through some of the stages of seeking and receiving help so you can know where to get started and what to expect.

Starting treatment

First and foremost is the act of awareness. The first step in this journey is understanding and acknowledging that there are problems with your mental health and that you might need help of some kind. Maybe you are noticing things that never used to be a problem, or perhaps symptoms that were manageable in the past are worsening, causing you more pain, stress, anxiety, or difficulty in various parts of your life. Many people will notice that they have started (or have been for a long time) self-medicating. It's not easy to admit that you need help, but it's a significant step to mental health recovery. None of us can really get the help we need if we don’t first admit that we are struggling. That little search you did, looking for ‘mental health recovery near me’ is a step in the right direction. We are glad you are here. And you’ve already started the first step, so you should feel proud of yourself!

Mental illness education 

The next step is discovering what your ‘condition’ is. Oftentimes people will start by making an appointment with their primary care provider. A small discussion about your mental health will likely lead to a referral with a professional mental health expert. When visiting with a professional, they will ask questions about you, your life, what you struggle with, and what you hope to gain from treatment. All of these questions are to help the professional start to narrow down what the main problem you might be suffering from is.

The term “mental illness” covers a very broad range of experiences. And it’s a loaded word, one that can cause people to put off seeking help out of fear of having “mental illness”. But here is the thing: it’s not what it sounds like, and it doesn’t deserve the stigma that is attached to it. Struggles with mental health are not the fault of the individual, and they are not a sign that something is “wrong” with them. It simply means they are struggling and deserve help. Diagnoses run the gamut from depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, trauma, and insomnia, to bipolar and schizophrenic, and many things in between. What is important is that you not try to diagnose yourself. Instead, make note of the things that you struggle with, make an appointment with a professional, and be prepared to discuss them openly when you are in their office.

Once you and your medical specialist have determined a likely diagnosis, they will assist you in making a plan. Sometimes this will be as simple as medication. Other times it will be a specific form of therapy, depending on whats needed. And with any luck, you will have landed a holistic doctor who understands that treatment works best when all parts of the person are treated, as opposed to just one part. Changes in diet, exercise, social dynamics, and useful techniques like guided meditation or breath work are all aspects of healing that can go a long way to bringing new life to your mental health.

Making a change

The road to mental health recovery requires making significant changes in your life to help you cope better. This could mean having the right support system in place. It could also be having a healthy home environment to encourage healing, or cutting toxic people and relationships out of your life. You might also need to make big changes to your lifestyle. For example, if you have an addiction problem, you must stop going to places that encourage or tempt you into drinking or using drugs again. Basically, you will be making positive changes in your life. This might sound alarming, but trust us. If you want to feel different, you need to do different. Not everything has to change, especially the things that are already working for you. And ultimately, the willingness to change will be relative to how much relief and happiness you want to experience, which will always be up to you.

Finding new meaning

Recovery also means doing new things to help you find joy in the little things again. Along the road to mental well-being, many people discover new hobbies or take on new responsibilities, things that stimulate or enrich their lives in unforeseen ways. This part of your recovery is crucial because it will build your character, as well. Plus, it can introduce you to communities that share your interests and values, possibly creating new and valuable support systems for you. One of the least talked about and yet most important aspects of living a healthy life is connection. Surrounding ourselves with kind, supportive, interesting people will feed us and nurture our wellbeing in a way that no other medicine can.

Sticking with recovery

Finally, you will have to devise a plan for your recovery and stick to it. Of course, there will be times when it gets difficult. Life gets busy, the responsibilities pile up. But you will be taught valuable skills during treatment to help you cope.

Something we haven’t yet mentioned is the option to attend in-patient treatment for mental health well being. While visiting doctor’s offices is a solution that many people take, there are just as many individuals who would truly benefit from an extended stay at a holistic wellness center. Investing in a program like this allows you to be immersed in a new way of life, surrounded by support, guidance, and all day, every day access to tools. These types of programs have radical, life altering results, and can’t be recommended highly enough.

Where to find a mental health recovery near me?

You always have a choice when it comes to improving your mental health. Many centers can help you with any kind of treatment you might need. And if you're on the Big Island and you're wondering, “where’s mental health recovery near me?”, Honu House Hawaii is here and ready to help.

Our luxury residence is a holistic wellness recovery center, aimed at addressing every aspect of each person’s mind, body, and spirit. Our focus is never on just one aspect of your discomfort. It is about treating the root causes and conditions, providing you with natural, sophisticated techniques that rocket you into a new level of being. We have a dedicated team of mental health experts, as well as therapies that range from mindfulness and breath work, to adventure and nature therapies, infrared saunas and cold plunges, all while experiencing nutrient dense whole foods and stunning views. You can place your trust in our team to help you get started. Contact us today.