Calls Out Digital Disconnection
Paradox
SALT
LAKE CITY, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In what
some call the era of digital disconnection, 2024 should be the year
of human connection to fight loneliness and anxiety, according to
one health sciences leader.
"In this increasingly digital era, the paradox of disconnection
in a connected world is more real than ever," said Kevin Guest, executive chairman at USANA
Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA). "Despite unprecedented digital
connectivity in our day, many find themselves feeling more alone
than ever. The detrimental effects on mental and emotional
well-being are alarming, with loneliness, anxiety and depression
topping the list and becoming all too common."
Studies show 95% of teens are on social media. A third say they
are on it "almost constantly," while nearly 40% of adults in
the United States use social media
for more than two hours a day.
"A CDC study found that between 2013 and 2019, one in five
teens reported they had experienced major depression," said Guest,
bestselling author of All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless
Principles for Living a Life in Harmony. "A 2022 analysis found
that social media addiction was associated with a 20% increase in
loneliness, with 26% of Americans reporting they feel lonely on a
regular basis. In fact, multiple studies have found a correlation
between social media addiction and loneliness."
In his book, Guest tells of a college professor who said,
"Nothing is more important than relationships," a motto Guest lives
by.
"A few years ago, a business situation arose in a country far
from my home that required my involvement. It was close to
Christmas, and I had already been traveling for three straight
weeks. I didn't want to go anywhere so close to Christmas," Guest
writes. "I didn't want to fly halfway around the globe for a
two-hour meeting when I could solve the problem sitting in my
office in a virtual meeting. But I knew I had to make the
visit.
"Efforts to be there in person did not go unnoticed or
unappreciated. The fact that I had traveled halfway across the
world demonstrated my commitment to the company and the importance
I placed on relationships. We made much more progress than we would
have communicating through the computer."
As we navigate the digital era, Guest implores others to connect
in person with colleagues, friends and family.
"As we begin 2024, let's balance our online presence with
real-life engagements. Let's reshape the narrative of our digital
lives and prioritize genuine connections," he said. "By
intentionally deciding the way we engage with technology, we can
cultivate authentic relationships amid the digital noise."
This call to action from Guest, a leader in health and wellness,
is a testament to his commitment to overall well-being, including
mental and emotional health, and a timely reminder of the
importance to use technology as a bridge to genuine human
connection, not as a barrier.
All proceeds for All the Right Reasons go to feeding
hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40
meals. For more information, visit
www.kevinguest.com.
USANA provides consumers the highest-quality nutritional
products in the world. From its award-winning supplements to its
innovative Celavive skincare and Active Nutrition lines, USANA has
proven its trust for more than 30 years.
Visit USANA.com or learn more about USANA's
sustainability efforts here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tim
Brown, Candid Communications
tim@candidcom.com
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SOURCE USANA