World Mental Health Day (World Mental Health Day 2026) is celebrated every year on October 10. So, we're sharing how you can maintain your mental health in this digital age.

In today's digital age, mobile phones and laptops have become an integral part of our lives. Checking our phones as soon as we wake up, working on screens all day, and browsing social media before bed have become a habit. But have you ever considered the impact that spending hours on your phone, lack of sleep, and the pressure of constantly being online can have on our brains?

We often dismiss fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating as work pressure. However, on World Mental Health Day 2026, neurosurgeon Dr. Sandeep Mavani (Adikura Superspeciality Hospital, Vadodara) explains how to protect your mental health while using the digital world and what daily habits can help. Let's find out.

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How to keep your mind healthy in the digital age?

It's not easy to completely stay away from the digital world these days, but it's important to pay attention to how we use our phones and laptops. Constantly checking notifications, watching reels late into the night, and not taking breaks between work can negatively impact our sleep and ability to concentrate. The doctor explained that mental health isn't just about the brain, but also about the heart, blood vessels, sleep, and our daily habits. Therefore, to keep our brain healthy, we should pay attention to not only screen time but also our daily routine.

Effects of mobile phone use and lack of sleep on the brain

Lying in bed at night and using your mobile phone has become a habit for many people these days. This leads to inadequate sleep. Doctors explain that good sleep is essential for a healthy brain. While sleeping, the brain works on memory and other important tasks.

He also said that if someone snores loudly at night and still feels tired after waking up in the morning, it should not be ignored. It could be a sign of sleep apnea , a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops or slows down during sleep.

How does the pressure of being online affect the brain?

Between work messages, constant social media updates, and household responsibilities, many people become overwhelmed with stress. If this stress persists for a long time, it can lead to poor sleep. It's also important to take breaks between work, get good sleep, and reduce stress.

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Do not ignore these symptoms for mental health

Working on a digital screen for long periods of time can cause eye fatigue, neck pain, and headaches. However, it's not necessarily the screen that's the cause of every problem. According to Dr. Sandeep Mawani:

• Persistently increasing headache
• sudden dizziness,
• to see blurred
• having memory problems
• weakness in arms and legs
• difficulty speaking
• sudden drooping of one side of the face

All of these symptoms should be immediately checked by a doctor. They could be signs of a stroke.

Ways to keep your mind healthy in the digital age

The doctor said that if you want to keep your mind healthy in the digital age, then you should keep these things in mind -

• Keep your phone away before sleeping: Reduce your mobile usage at night and set a fixed sleeping and waking time.
• Take frequent breaks from the screen: Every hour, take a moment to look away from the screen and walk around.
• Walk daily: Try to walk for about 30 minutes as per your capacity.
• Don't ignore stress: Maintain a balance between work and rest. If necessary, talk to an expert.
• Get your blood pressure and sugar tested: Their high levels can damage the nerves in the brain.
• Avoid being online all the time: Limit phone notifications and spend some time during the day without screens.

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