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Screen Time and Mental Health [Podcast]

Posted March 11, 2025

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Join us as we discuss the impact of excessive screen time on mental and physical health with Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris, a psychiatrist at Summa Health. In this insightful episode, we explore the negative effects of screen time, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as its impact on sleep, attention span, and relationships. Learn practical strategies to manage screen time and promote mental well-being for both adults and children.

Featured Speaker:

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD is a practicing board-certified psychiatrist with Summa Health System and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University whose studies, writes and speaks about the interface of mental health and achievement. He is also passionate about physician wellness and provides mental healthcare to physicians through the Akron Physician Wellness Initiative. 

Scott Webb (Host): Over the years, the CDC and many other health organizations have raised concerns about excessive screen time and its impact on physical and mental health. Joining us today is Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris, a Psychiatrist with Summa Health Behavioral Health Institute and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He'll discuss mental health outcomes related to screen time and healthy ways to manage screen time to promote mental well-being.   

This is Healthy Vitals, a podcast from Summa Health. I'm Scott Webb. Doctor, it's nice to have you here today. I was telling you that I have a little bit of a maybe more vested interest in this topic than some other topics that I've hosted for Summa Health, simply because I have a 17-year-old. She loves her phone. She's always on her phone. She's always looking at her phone.
And screen time, I think, is something that's particularly relevant to parents, but humans, adults, kids, everybody. So let's start there. Let's define screen time and what kinds of activities are typically included under that term. 

What activities are considered screen time?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Well Scott, I appreciate the invitation and I empathize with you. I've got a six-year-old and an eight-year-old, and that's something that we also have to take care of at our own home as well. Screen time, it refers to the amount of time that we spend using electronic devices with screens.
It can include smartphones, computers, TVs, tablets. And it can include a number of activities such as watching videos, playing games, or just simply browsing the internet.

Host: Yeah. And I remember Doctor, as a kid, you know, we had like one TV in our house, right? And it was like maybe 19 inches, one TV. And I remember being yelled at by my mom sort of saying, hey, don't be too close to the TV. Don't watch TV too much. It's bad for your eyes. It's bad for your brain, whatever. And I think about now how many TVs and screens, and we just spend our days, right, Doctor. Like just always looking at something. I'm looking at a computer right now. Presumably you are as well. So I guess it makes me wonder, when we think about the, maybe the mental health concerns, the significant ones, are there some that are associated with excessive screen time?

Is excessive screen time associated with mental health concerns?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah. No, absolutely. And what's interesting is how we have tablets and access to screen times in every room of our houses. Right. And that excessive screen time is associated with a number of negative effects. The first one is lower psychological well-being. Studies have shown that children, teenagers, and adults who spend more screen time they tend to have higher rates of depression and anxiety.

Another, potential negative effect is the fact that it can affect our sleep, right? We've all been there. You know, we're on our phones or our tablets late at night. And, you know, you end up staying up later than expected, and then it's kind of hard to turn the mind off, right? So it can affect our sleep negatively

It's also worth noting that it can impact our attention span negatively. It's also not good for relationships. I think we've all seen this where, you know, we go out to like a restaurant for dinner and we see at a table where two people are on their phones instead of talking and connecting with each other.

Right? So, uh, these screens can actually take us away from our loved ones and they can have a negative effect on our relationships. And then finally, they're not good for physical health, because many times people who are on their screens, they experience a lot of stress and stress is not just mental. It's also physical. So an increase in stress is associated with negative physical effects.
So what I would say is that, you know, sitting down, watching, spending too much screen time is also not good for not just our mental health, but also our physical health.

Host: Yeah, mental, physical, I can totally picture what you're saying where you look around at a restaurant and everyone's looking at their phones. My daughter does that. She, you know, hangs out with friends, but all they really do is sit at Starbucks and play on their phones. You know, and maybe occasionally look up and occasionally laugh at something or whatever.
And, you know, I think especially with teens, but not just teens, but especially it's something that I'm concerned about with a 17-year-old; anxiety, depression, stress. Things like that. Is the research finding that too much screen time is perhaps at least one of the underlying causes of those things?  

Is too much screen time related to depression, anxiety, and stress?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, it really is. There have been a number of studies amongst children, amongst teenagers and amongst adults showing that increased screen time is associated with lower psychological well-being. And there have been studies amongst adults, for example, it was published in the Nature Journal and the intervention was, hey, let's cut back your screen time to three hours per week.

And they found that that reduction in screen time, it improved well-being and mood in adults, within a two week timeframe. So what we're seeing here is that screen time comes at a cost to our mental health and I think we all need to be working on finding ways to be more mindful when it comes to using these devices.

Host: Yeah. And as I said earlier, it's not just the teens, it's the adults too. It's the parents too. And you know, one of the things that my daughter's high school has done, Doctor, is they basically, collect the phones now at the beginning of class. And presumably that's to help them, you know, pay attention better, better memory, problem solving skills, those kinds of things.
I'm not sure how it's working out, you know, I get conflicting reports from our daughter, but I'm wondering in general when we think about prolonged screen time and the cognitive functioning, what's the connection there?

What is the connection between prolonged screen time and cognitive functioning?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, and I think it's a very reasonable intervention what they're doing at her school. So yeah, I mean, excess screen time is associated with reduced attention span. So for example, when we're spending too much time in front of a screen, what's happening is we're overloading the brain with sensory stimuli.
So eventually the brain gets tired, right from the system overload, which makes it harder for us to focus and concentrate on a task at hand, right? It's hard to pay attention to what somebody is saying when you are staring at a screen at the same time. But the other thing that's happening is that it lowers our attention spans because whenever we're like in, in front of a screen and we get bored, what do we do?

We just shift our attention to the next thing, the next website, the next app, the next YouTube video, right? So what we're doing is we're having a hard time enduring boredom, you know, and then what we're doing is we're really just shifting our attention span rapidly from one stimulus to the next. So as a result, we're actually constricting our attention spans, but being in front of a screen.

Host: Yeah, and I think that so many of us, Doctor, think that we're multitasking because we've got the TV on, maybe we have our laptop on our laps, we have our phone in our hand, and we think that we're multitasking, you know, in other words, doing all these things simultaneously, but as you're saying, we're, what we're really doing is just switching from one thing to the next thing, and oftentimes we're doing it out of boredom, right? Yeah.

How can we avoid multitasking out of boredom?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, no, I agree. That multitasking, it's really an illusion. You know what, I tell people one thing at a time, slow down, be present, and just focus on one thing, one task at a time.

Host: Yeah, for sure. You know, I think, Doctor, one of the ironies of social media is it was supposed to be this thing. It started out to be this thing that kind of brought people together. You know, radio made the world smaller. Television made the world smaller. The internet was supposed to bring us all together.
But it feels like Doctor, that sometimes it actually is the other way. It's sort of counterintuitive that this great social thing that's supposed to bring us together, actually for some, fosters more loneliness and isolation. Maybe you can talk us through that.

Can social media and the internet foster feelings of loneliness and isolation?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, totally. I look at social media for example, as a tool, as a knife. You know, you can do some really good things with a knife, like cut a steak and enjoy it, or you can chop your finger off, right? So we have to be very mindful and intentional when using social media. And the problem with social media is that people present a facade of their lives, right?
They present the highlights of their life. So what happens is as human beings, we engage in social comparisons. We use others as a measuring stick, as a metric, and we compare our real messy lives to someone's projection of their idealized life. And that's a comparison that, you know, doesn't make us feel good about ourselves.

Now, back in the day, before social media, before the internet, you know, we would engage in social comparisons, but just with people in our vicinity, right? The person in the neighborhood, the person at school. But now what happens, is that you engage in an entire stream of social comparisons with a scroll of a finger.

So we've taken these social comparisons, we've increased their frequency exponentially, and we've also made them a lot more intense, because you're comparing your life with someone's presentation of their life, and I think it's coming at a tremendous cost to our mental health. 

Scott Webb: Yeah. It is so interesting. You know, I have friends quote unquote on say Facebook Doctor, that they only post the good things in their lives. And then I have other friends who only post the bad things in their lives. And it's a very interesting juxtaposition is like of how people use social media and what the goals are, what the end game is. And we could probably do it entirely, just a separate podcast, just on social media, but I am wondering when we think about screen time and our overall personal well-being or life satisfaction, what's the connection there, and can it lead to diminishing those feelings?  

How does screen time and social media affect our overall satisfaction with our life?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: What you're presenting there is like two sides of the same coin, right? The one is like the negative, it can make you look at the world from like a negative lens, right? And the other one is like, look how great my life is, which again makes you feel negative about yourself, right?

So it's really two sides of the same coin. So because of all the sensory overload that we're exposed to, it can certainly play a role in decreased life satisfaction, right? Like, what's wrong with me? They seem to be happy. They seem to be doing great. Therefore, there's something inherently wrong with me, right

The other thing about social media is that it takes us away from the present moment. You know, part of being present is just being in the here and the now, right? And enjoying what we have, you know, I'm looking out the window right now and hey, it's kind of sunny here in Northeast Ohio. We'll take it for once in February, you know. But when you're staring at a screen and you're looking at other people's lives, it takes you away from the present moment and that's very stressful and it can also be very depressing.

Host: Yeah, it really can, and I know, a big initiative or a big concern for schools, parents, you know, when we think about this comparison is also really about cyberbullying, which is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but it really happens a lot, whether it's through TikTok or Snapchat or whatever our kids are using.

So what are your thoughts about the screen time and our self-esteem and then, you know, what happens when we start comparing ourselves or our kids are comparing themselves or they're being bullied because they're not what, you know, Johnny is, so to speak. You know what I mean?

How are screen time and self-esteem related?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah. As I answer that question, I remember when I was in high school, 25 years ago, and you know, teenagers can sometimes be mean, but the one good thing about that time was that when I was home, I was home, right? No one had access to me and I could just kind of be present with my family.

But now it's much harder for teenagers nowadays because with social media, we're more easily accessible. And that's again, a double edged sword. It can be beneficial if you're trying to access a friend and reach out to a friend, but you know, if there's a bully out there and you're a teenager in your home, well, now that bully can reach out to you via social media, right?
So cyberbullying is a very real phenomenon. And it comes at a significant cost to the mental health of children and teenagers because they care about identity. They care about what their peers think about them. Right? And it's different as an adult, you know, where our identities are a lot more engrained versus being a teenager or a kid where you really care about what other people think of you.
Right? So, one of the negatives of social media is that we've become more easily accessible and you can see how that can make cyber bullying a big problem for kids and teenagers.

Host: Yeah. And they all know where each other is because they share their location. And so they can look on Snapchat and see where people are. As you say, there used to be a way for us, Doctor, back in the day, you know, the old days, we could go somewhere and get away from school and stress and all of that, but now everybody seems to know where we are and what we're doing and what we're eating and all of that.

And as you say, a part of that, a component of that, could be cyberbullying. And I want to talk a little bit about with this technology, be it social media or otherwise, about how some of us and maybe even our teens are sort of escaping into it. Right? So they're dealing with emotional regulation and coping strategies and things like that, but they may be turning to their screens to just avoid things, right. To just avoid those negative emotions. How how can we sort of process that?

Are we using screens as a way to avoid negative emotions?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, you know, as human beings, we all have to cope with our realities, you know, and the question is whether we use healthy or unhealthy coping strategies. And, you know, a general rule of thumb, healthy strategies take a little more effort, a little more energy, right? Going for a walk, reading a book, right? Whereas unhealthy coping strategies in general, they're easy. They don't take much effort, like going on our screens, right? The problem though is that the unhealthy coping strategies, they come with baggage. As we said before, too much screen time can come at a cost to our mental and physical and social health.

So it's like this vicious cycle that, hey, I'm not feeling well, I'm depressed or I'm anxious, or I'm even bored. And instead of doing something healthy about it, like, I don't know, reading a book, going for a walk, talking to a loved one, instead of that, we're just engaging in a strategy, screen time, which makes us more vulnerable to mental and physical health difficulties.

Host: Yeah, you know, when I was younger, Doctor, and I'd be in the car, I would listen to music. And if I was in a happy mood, I'd listen to happy music. And if I was having kind of a sad day or a blue day, I might listen to blues or something like that. And now I kind of do that with podcasts. As I program my day, I might listen to a more comedic podcast, the sort of the happy side or maybe true crime, you know, a little bit of the darker side.

And it makes me wonder, when we think about the types of content, the time of day, or maybe our own personality traits. Do you think that there's an impact, when we think about screen time, that could be influenced by some of these other things, the type of content? In other words, you know, am I gonna have a different type of day if I listen to a comedy podcast versus some dark true crime podcast? What are your thoughts on that?

How does the content we view on screens influence us?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Oh, absolutely, absolutely. You know, and as you described that, uh, example with like the music and the radio, that's it, that's a bonding experience by the way, right? Like you and maybe a parent or a sibling are in the car together, listening to music, maybe singing together, right? That's a bonding experience whereas screen time today seems a lot more isolating.
Like we're all on our phones individually or our tablets individually. So it's a different ballgame. As far as your question, a type of content plays a huge role, right? So it's important that we're mindful of what we're exposing ourselves to. It's one thing to like, you know, be reading an article for educational purposes versus, doom scrolling about how it's going to be the end of the world, right?
That's going to have a different impact on our mood and our perspectives. Right. Additional variables to consider are our age, right? You know, if you're a child, if you're a teenager, you're gonna be more susceptible to the negative effects of screen time because your brain is still developing and you still haven't figured out your identity versus an adult.

So I think that's something to consider. Also, if you're an introvert versus an extrovert, like what kind of personality traits you have. So in general, studies show that if you're an extrovert, you're more likely to be negatively impacted by screen time versus being an introvert. Because as an extrovert, you thrive off of face to face, in-person connections, right? Another variable to consider is if you're a lighter sleeper or not, again, if you're a light sleeper, you really want to avoid screen time, like late at night. So the time of day plays a role as far as the potential impact. And then finally, if you're somebody who's prone to depression or anxiety, you want to be really careful when it comes to the use of screen time. Because again, it can be a risk factor for worse psychological well-being.

Host: So let's try to help folks, Doc. You know, we've sort of identified some of the problems and the effects, mental, physical, and otherwise. Well, let's talk some strategies or interventions to help mitigate the negative mental health effects.

What are some strategies to avoid the negative mental health effects?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: So I think the first thing is knowledge. You can't make changes without knowledge and understanding that screen time can have both positive and negative effects. I don't want everybody like having a panic that, oh my goodness, screen time is like this horrible thing. Cause a lot of good things can come from internet and social media. But again, it can also have negative effects. So knowledge is number one. Number two, you want to be mindful before consuming screen time. Like before you reach for your phone, for example, press pause and ask yourself, how am I feeling?

And why am I reaching for my phone? Maybe you're reaching for your phone because you really need to look something up right now, or maybe you're reaching for your phone because you're bored. And if you're bored, are there other healthier ways to deal with a boredom? Like being creative or talking to a loved one, or maybe, I don't know, reading a book, right?
So take a moment to assess how you're feeling when you reach for a screen time. So I think those are a couple strategies, having the knowledge and also being mindful before reaching out for the screen.

Host: Yeah. That's a term that's come up a lot in different podcasts that I've done is just, uh, mindfulness, you know, being more mindful, being more present, and literally and figuratively. And as you say, we tend to turn to our phones out of boredom or escapism, whatever it might be. And one of the things I do, Doctor, sometimes is I sort of digitally detox, if you will, I try to say to myself, okay, I'm not going to use my phone from this time to this time.

Or when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is not going to be to check my phone and, you know, go on social media and check my email and all of that. I want to have you talk a little bit about that, the digital detoxes, if you will, or just taking regular breaks and do you recommend them? And if so, you know, what are the benefits?  

What is a digital detox and what are the benefits?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Yeah, I think it's important that we do that because we often reach for screens out of habit, automatically, like we do it without realizing that we're doing that, right? So in order to change our behaviors, we have to be intentional. And one way to be intentional is by saying, hey, I'm going to have a digital detox.

And it's a great way for us to help like press pause and just press reset and give the brain a rest from screen time, right? And the beautiful thing about digital detoxes too is that it also kind of helps you understand like, oh, wow, this is the impact that screen time is having on me. Like if you're doing a detox and you're having a really hard time and you're like craving to reach for your phone and you're struggling, like, Oh my God, it's been two hours and I'm having a hard time not reaching for my phone, then you know what that tells me is that like, you're really, I don't know, dependent on that phone, on that screen time, right? So I think that's valuable data when we do these exercises. So what I tell people is, hey, listen, if you're going to do a detox, that's fine. You know, start small, set realistic goals that are attainable and make sure that you have planned in advance, healthier alternatives.

So for example, if you like, want to not have screen time first thing in the morning when you wake up, well, what is the alternative behavior that you're going to do at that time? Like maybe you 15 minute mindfulness meditation instead of habitually looking at your phone, right? So just make sure that you have a plan in place to replace the digital detox.

Host: Right. We, yeah, if we're going to digitally detox, we don't want to just maybe just sit there and stare off into space. Right. Let's make a productive use of that time. As you say, have a plan. I just want to finish up here. I know that some of my students use these different things to track their social media time, their screen time, all that kind of stuff on their phone. So maybe you can talk about some of the tools or resources that can help us to monitor and manage and ultimately, and hopefully and ideally minimize the negative effects on our mental health.

What are some tools to help manage screen time?

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Sure. Here's the one thing that I do. When I get home, the first thing that I do, you know, in the mudroom is I take off my wallet, my keys and my cell phone and I leave them there, you know, so that way when I'm home, I am present with my family and I've created some distance between me and my phone. Because even if you have your phone on silent, just having it in your pocket is a distraction. It just makes it easier you to go on your phone and be distracted. As far as some other tools, I would say that, you know, keep track of how much time you spend.

So like our smartphones, they have built in features to monitor screen time. So just have the data, like how much time do you spend a day with as far as screen time? Is it four hours, two hours, six hours? And how can you reduce it by even 10%? And what's that like? Right? Even if you're on social media, they have features that monitor your screen time and they set you a reminder when you've reached that designated limit. So for me, it's like 15 minutes and that's it. And that can be a powerful reminder to help you limit screen time and social media time.

Host: Yeah. And it can only help whether it's our kids, their parents, you know, I think about my daughter, as I mentioned, you know, 17, I suspect that she has her eyes on a screen virtually, you know, the entire day when she's awake. So when she's awake, she's staring at her phone and then she sleeps maybe for between six and eight hours.
And I know it's not healthy and I want to be a better parent as I know we all do. So I appreciate your time, your expertise today, a lot of food for thought. Thank you so much.

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD: Oh, thank you for having me on the podcast.

Host: And for more information, go to summahealth.org/behavioral. And if you enjoyed this episode of Healthy Vitals, we'd love it if you'd leave us a review. Your review helps others find our educational content. I'm Scott Webb. Thanks for listening, and we'll talk again next time. 

About the Author

Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD

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Join us as we navigate these sensitive issues with respect and a focus on creating supportive communities. Thank you for listening.

Struggling with Addiction? Summa Health is Here to Help.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports an estimated 46 million people in this country, aged 12 and older, suffer from substance use disorder. Unfortunately, that number continues to rise, as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis. 

Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by continued use of drugs or alcohol despite harmful consequences. Continued use of addictive substances triggers the release of chemicals, which alter the brain&…

Fall Prevention for Seniors [Podcast]

Join Dr. Rathna Shenoy, Amy Hirnikl, Education and Injury Prevention Coordinator, and Alexandra Carpenter, Trauma Program Manager, to discuss fall prevention for seniors.

Winter Blues… or Something More

This time of year, it feels like our world is gray and gloomy, bright sunshine will never reappear and the cold winds dampen our spirits at every turn. It’s easy to experience the winter blues.

But, for some people winter is quite literally depressing. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.

As the days become short and…

The Impact of Hearing Loss [Podcast]

Join Audiologist Dr. Amy Welman and Audiologist Dr. Gabrielle King to discuss the impact of hearing loss.

Dare to Address Addiction: How to Take the First Step in Getting Someone Help

Does someone you love have an addiction? You’re not alone. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports an estimated 46 million people in this country, aged 12 and older, suffer from substance use disorder.

Addiction, or substance use disorder, is a chronic brain disease characterized by continued use of drugs or alcohol despite its harmful consequences to the person’s health and well-being. Continued use of addictive substances triggers the release of…

Should I Declutter Before Winter? [Podcast]

You've probably heard of "Spring Cleaning" but what about decluttering before the cold weather begins? Ashley Krul dives into the benefits of organizing and decluttering your space leading into the Winter months.

Navigating the World of HIV and AIDS [Podcast]

Dr. Hite discusses HIV and AIDS, explains how the infection progresses, answers frequently asked questions, and reminds viewers about prevention and treatment options.

New Wave of Weight Loss Drugs Aren’t One Size Fits All [Podcast]

Obesity drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic have ushered in a new age medical weight loss. In this episode, obesity medicine specialist Dr. Kenneth Wells, explains how these medications work, how they should be used and what patients should know when considering this treatment.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work? [Podcast]

Dr. Desai answers your questions about radiation therapy and discusses advancements in treatment technology.

What is Breast Density and Why is it Important? [Podcast]

This podcast episode delves into breast density, covering its types, detection methods, significance for screenings, misconceptions, and risk reduction. Learn about dense breast screenings, recent Ohio legislation expanding coverage, and proactive measures for breast health. 

HIV Prevention with PrEP Medications: Key Facts and Benefits [Podcast]

Join us as we explore PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a powerful tool in preventing HIV infection. We'll cover its definition and remarkable effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

What Will I Learn at a Rainbow Tour? [Podcast]

In this episode, we explore the Rainbow Tour, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting education and awareness about the proper use of pronouns and understanding SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity). Visit summahealth.org/rainbow and fill out the form to get involved.

Ashley Krul: Wellness in the Workplace [Podcast]

Wellness has become a buzzword we hear a lot about, but maybe we don’t know precisely what it means. It can also mean different things to different people. Today’s guest, Ashley Krul, program coordinator of employee wellness at Summa Health, discusses the many dimensions of wellness and how they impact our lives. She also shares how Summa Health focuses on keeping employees well in the workplace. 

Behavioral Health Services: Where Should I Go for Help?

You’ve probably heard the term “behavioral health,” but what exactly does it mean? Behavioral Health refers to the emotions and behaviors that affect your overall well-being, and encompasses mental health and substance use disorders, along with their stress-related physical symptoms. Behavioral health conditions can include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, anger management, drinking or drug abuse, traumatic stress and much more.

 

Because many people…

Lung Cancer Screening and the Advancements in Lung Cancer Detection and Treatment [Podcast]

Dr. Aziken, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Summa Health, reviews the importance of lung cancer screenings, who is at risk of developing lung cancer, some of advancements in the treatment of lung cancer and debunks common myths.

How to Care for Aging Parents or Loved Ones [Podcast]

In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Ruff leads a discussion focusing on advice for caregivers of aging parents/relatives.

Minority Health Month and the Social Determinants of Health [Podcast]

Iriel Hopkins: Summa Health System Director of Community Relations and Diversity, and Marlo Schmidt: Summa Health System Director of Community Benefits, discuss the social determinants of health.

An Introduction to Mindfulness and its Health Benefits [Podcast]

In this episode, Certified Mindfulness Teacher and Life Coach Shannon Speaks leads a discussion focusing on the practice of mindfulness, and the many health benefits of this practice.

An Introduction to Mindfulness and its Health Benefits [Podcast]

In this episode, Certified Mindfulness Teacher and Life Coach Shannon Speaks leads a discussion focusing on the practice of mindfulness, and the many health benefits of this practice.

Treatment Options for a Lumbar Herniated Disc [Podcast]

Pain and symptoms from a spinal lumbar herniated disc can be easily mistaken by patients. Summa Health neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Hartzfeld answers some of the most commonly asked questions about treatment for lumbar herniated disc.

Celebrating Women in Healthcare [Podcast]

In this episode, we are celebrating women physicians. Dr. Cheryl Johnson and Dr. Jacqueline Tulodzieski-Ahlstrom lead an interactive discussion focusing on what brought them to their careers in medicine, and what they love about working at Summa Health.

Treatment Options for Tinnitus or Ringing in Ears [Podcast]

In this episode, Dr. Deanna Nickerson leads a discussion about tinnitus and the treatment options available.

Vasectomy 101 and Summa Health's Vas Madness [Podcast]

Dr. Kevin Spear leads a discussion on what you need to know about vasectomies, including the procedure itself and post-procedure care.

Securing the Safety for Healthcare Employees [Podcast]

Violence is rising in the healthcare setting. According to the American Hospital Association, 44% of nurses reported experiencing physical violence, and 68% reported experiencing verbal abuse nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic as of June 2022.

Unfortunately, we know this reality to also be true at Summa Health. It is estimated that 3% of patients are considered violent on a daily basis. Violent situations make it more challenging for nurses and other staff to provide quality patient care, especially when they fear for their safety.

We have asked our nurses and frontline staff to share the stories of their experiences with patients being violent or abusive. Their stories deserve to be heard. The policy needs to change.

Joan Riemer: How to Become a Leader [Podcast]

In this episode, we will hear from Joan Riemer, System Director of organizational development and training HR employee development. She will lead an in-depth discussion on what she believes are the skills, practices, and values that make a good leader.

Michelle Bisson: Teamwork & Defining Success - Advice for Women in Healthcare Leadership [Podcast]

In this episode, Michelle Bisson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, discusses the importance of having female leaders and shares her core values and practices.

Vaccines for Pregnant Individuals [Podcast]

Director of Obstetrics, Dr. Meghan Mehl discusses vaccinations for pregnant individuals and those planning to become pregnant.

The Importance of Advance Directives in End-of-Life Care [Podcast]

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Yoder and palliative care social worker Ellen Saal-Patterson lead a comprehensive discussion on preparing for end-of-life care.

Mental Health Support When You Need It Most

According to the most recent COVID-19 Practitioner Survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, more psychologists reported an increased demand for mental health services in 2021 compared to 2020, with the most significant treatment increases occurring for those suffering from anxiety, depression and trauma-related disorders.

As your community healthcare partner, Summa Health is deeply committed to offering the highest quality behavioral health services to you…

Grief Counseling: A Personal Experience That Fueled a Passion for Helping Others [Podcast]

Shannon Blower, Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care Services, shares his personal experience with grief and provides tips and resources for anyone coping with grief.

Coping with Tragic News and Tips for Talking to Children

In recent months, international conflicts, COVID, and violence have impacted our lives. These disturbing events can have profound effects not only on the families and communities where they occur but also on parents and children many miles from the scene.

Tragedies like these often shake our sense of trust and security. They feel personal because these are everyday people doing everyday things. Our kids go to school, we shop at grocery stores, attend concerts and movies, and…

Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and More [Podcast]

Elizabeth Boes, D.O. provides an educational overview of erectile dysfunction. Learn about symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.

Juneteenth: What It Is and Why It’s Celebrated [Podcast]

Dr. Yoleetah Ilodi & Iriel Hopkins discuss Juneteenth and its importance. Listen and learn more in this episode of Healthy Vitals.

Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and More [Podcast]

Dr. Dmitri Kolychev, a neurologist at Summa Health, discusses the influx of Multiple Sclerosis diagnoses in the United States. Learn about MS symptoms, treatment options, and more in this episode of Healthy Vitals.

What You Need To Know About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Updated April 2025

As humans, we strive to achieve a sense of belonging, acceptance and connection with others. These innate needs and desires often originate from family. Through these interactions, we gain a sense of self-worth, security and community. Families, regardless of blood relation or choice, are bound together by shared meaning and values. These beliefs and perspectives shape the realities that form these connections, but what happens to a family when trauma alters…

Nurses Week: Celebrating Nurses and Their Commitment to Our Community [Podcast]

Tiffany Collins discusses her journey and passion for nursing.

Getting Help for Long-Term Post-COVID Symptoms [Podcast]

While most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health within a few weeks, others have symptoms that linger for months after recovery. Even people who have had mild versions of the virus can experience persistent or late symptoms. These people are often referred to as "long haulers" and the condition has been termed post-COVID syndrome or "long COVID-19."

Maternal Health in the Black Community [Podcast]

Dr. Cheryl Johnson leads a discussion focusing on empowerment in the African American community, especially maternal health.

Testicular Cancer: An Overview from Prevention to Treatment [Podcast]

Dr. Dankoff provides an overview of testicular cancer. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment options.

What Makes a Great Doctor - Personal Insights, Advice, and Why they Chose Medicine [Podcast]

Dr. Shanu Agarwal and resident Kortnie Broschinsky discuss their journey into healthcare.

Occupational Therapy: What Is It, How Does It Help, Who Should See An OT [Podcast]

Craig Wood leads a discussion focusing on occupational therapy, its benefits, and why he got into the field.

Our Commitment to Creating a Healthier Community [Podcast]

Iriel Hopkins and Marlo Schmidt discuss ways in which Summa Health System contributes to a healthier community.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – What You Need to Know [Podcast]

Karen Frantz DeSeptis and Ericka Malone lead a discussion on SIDS, and important information you need to know.

How "Long COVID-19" is taking a toll on patients' mental health

The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, but especially on those who have battled the virus and now have lingering symptoms.

Known as “long COVID-19” or “post-COVID syndrome,” some patients are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for weeks or even months after recovering from the acute phase of infection — even when the virus is no longer detected in their bodies. Even patients who had mild cases and weren’t hospitalized…

An Overview of Osteoporosis: Prevention to Treatment [Podcast]

Natalie Hiltbrand, an Osteoporosis Specialist at Summa Health, leads a discussion on osteoporosis treatment, as well as prevention.

Exercising your brain: 6 ways to build mental fitness

Updated September 2024

Just as our bodies require care and exercise over the course of our life, so do our brains — especially as we age. Lifting weights strengthens our muscles, while strengthening our mental “muscles” improves our memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation.

The key is variety. Similarly when we exercise our body, if doing something becomes too easy, it’s time to make a change to build brainpower. The…

Addressing Common Pelvic Health Issues [Podcast]

Dr. Megan Cesta and senior physical therapist Amy Senn discuss common pelvic health issues women may experience.

Are you coping with stress in a healthy way?

Stress is inevitable and a natural part of our modern lives. Bills come every month, kids’ activities are year-round and work never seems to slow down.

Suffice it to say, stress is something all of us struggle with at times. However, it’s one that all of us cope with differently — some in healthy ways and others in unhealthy ways. Some people may turn to meditation or a friend to release stressful energy, while others may turn to more harmful activities or…

PTSD: Symptoms and Treatment [Podcast]

Healthy VitalsDr. Adam Ripley discusses trauma exposure and options for treatment, not limited to combat trauma.

Laughter in Times of Stress [Podcast]

Healthy VitalsListen to this episode of the Healthy Vitals Podcast featuring Megan Dean, Laughter Leader. 

Stress Management: How to Tell the Difference Between Good and Bad Stress

Stress is a natural part of our modern lives. Bills come every month, kids’ activities are year-round and work never seems to slow down. A little bit of stress is inevitable, but oftentimes that’s a good thing.

Stress helps you meet your daily challenges and motivates you to reach your goals, ultimately making you a smarter, happier and healthier person. That’s right. Good stress is vital for a healthy life.

Good vs. Bad Stress

You may think any type of stress is bad, but that…

All About Sleep Apnea [Podcast]

Dr. James Bavis & Dr. Ketan Deoras explain sleep apnea as well as signs, symptoms, and what to expect.

SAD: Overcoming the "winter blues" in a pandemic

Beautiful colors, cooler temperatures and the anticipation of the upcoming festive holidays make fall a season favorite for many.

But for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the shorter days with intermittent sunshine can make for a long and dreary fall and winter season — both physically and mentally.

SAD is a reoccurring type of depression that tends to have a seasonal pattern. For most, symptoms begin in late fall and can linger around until late…

Breast Cancer: The Importance of Knowing Your Risk [Podcast]

Dr. Keristen Brantley & Dr. Victoria Van Fossen discuss Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

Alzheimer’s Awareness: Symptoms, Stages, and Support [Podcast]

Amanda Harvan sheds light on the symptoms, stages and support of Alzheimer's.

Men’s Well-Being: All About Prostate Health [Podcast]

Dr. Kevin Spear discusses men's health and different risk factors and how to ensure optimal well-being.

The Latest Updates on COVID-19 [Podcast]

Dr. Thomas File shares the latest updates on COVID-19.

Can Obesity be Considered a Disease [Podcast]

Dr. Adrian Dan discusses obesity as a metabolic disease.

Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness [Podcast]

Emily Hionides-Horner discusses 7 ways to overcome mental health stigma.

Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness [Podcast]

Emily Hionides-Horner discusses 7 ways to overcome mental health stigma.

The Modern Guide to Heart Health [Podcast]

Dr. Peter Bittenbender shares his insight on the modern guide to heart health.

Tips on Maintaining Fitness and Physical Health During the Pandemic [Podcast]

Dr. Cipriani discusses tips on maintaining physician health during the pandemic.

Tips for Managing Anxiety [Podcast]

Dr. Leslie Zaynor discusses tips for managing anxiety.

Tips for Managing Anxiety [Podcast]

Dr. Leslie Zaynor discusses tips for managing anxiety.

7 ways to overcome mental health stigma

When we fall or get injured, it’s only natural to immediately ask for help because it hurts and we want to feel better. However, if someone is struggling with internal pain, has loneliness, depression, anxiety, isolation, or hopelessness, or someone perceives others are judging them due to their mental illness, many people hesitate to ask for help in the same way they would for a physical injury.

Unfortunately, this is the case for many who suffer from a mental illness,…

Tips for a healthier happier day

In today’s world, we often forget to do the little things that can often make a big difference in our health and happiness. Typically, it is the simplest things that can do the most to help us feel our best every day and all year long. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for a healthier, happier day:

Make plans to do something you love. Research shows that having something to look forward to makes you happier. So, on a rough day, try to make a plan to do something…

Seven tips to manage stress during challenging times

1. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Making an effort to remember all of the things you’re grateful for is very important. Research has shown that taking time to express gratitude or even acknowledge thankfulness in our own thoughts increases well-being and creates positive feelings. Gratefulness can be the antidote to increased stressors in challenging times.

2. Spend money wisely.

Overspending, panic spending, and comfort spending can add to your stress by creating…

Play to laugh

Laughter is what the doctor ordered when it comes to stress relief.  Science shows laughter may very well be the best medicine when it comes to relieving stress — and that’s no joke. Whether you’re howling at a TV sitcom or giggling at your friend’s joke, the positive effects from laughter on body function — from increased circulation to muscle relaxation — confirm that real, sincere, happy laughter is good for you!

With April being…

Take a Vacation to Boost Your Mental Health

Americans are often overstressed and overworked, and it’s no wonder – not all Americans have the luxury of paid time off, and even those who do generally don’t take all of it. According to research, more than one in 10 Americans say they plan to take a quarter or less of their vacation days in 2019.

There are many studies that suggest taking time off is beneficial to your mental, physical and overall health and that people who take vacations have lower stress…

TMS - A Hope for Treatment of Major Depression

While the exact cause of depression isn’t known, it is thought to be caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters – the chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells. While there are many effective treatments for depression, the typical approaches like therapy and antidepressants don’t necessarily work for everyone.

For decades, shock therapy, or ECT, has been used to treat major depression that was not treatable with medication and therapy. While there…

When it Comes to Addiction, What is the Best Path to Recovery - Abstinence or Harm Reduction?

Addiction recovery is a deeply personal journey, and different strategies work for different people. The two most common, and very different, recovery philosophies are abstinence and harm reduction. The following is a brief description of each of these approaches.

Abstinence

Abstinence-based recovery dates back centuries, long before addiction was determined to be a medical disease. This recovery philosophy expects an individual to completely stop the use of alcohol and other…

Social Media and Depression: What's the Connection?

Have you ever wondered about the impact of social media on mental health? Social media has drastically changed the ways we communicate and socialize with others. In many ways, social media has had a positive impact; but the experiences can also be extremely negative, cyberbullying for example. Concerns regarding the impact of social media have resulted in a number of studies that look at the connection between social media and depression or anxiety. Not surprisingly, the…

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is designated as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, in conjunction with Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day held on September 10.  Events held on this day focus on raising awareness that suicide IS preventable, providing education and information about suicide, and decreasing the stigma associated with suicide.

 

Despite these (and other) efforts, suicide statistics tell a grim story. Just to cite a few examples, suicide rates have been on the rise since 1999.…

PTSD: Not A Life Sentence

June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day (and all of June is PTSD Awareness Month). PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that can develop following highly stressful life experiences. Some examples of these traumatic events are military combat, sexual assault, transportation accidents, and natural disasters. Such trauma exposure is quite common. Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

Seven Myths About Mental Health Debunked

Mental health is as complex as physical health. It can fluctuate up or down, it can be affected by genetics and physical trauma and is something that may require treatment by a medical professional.

In the US, one in five individuals is affected by a mental health condition. To address the stigma associated with mental health, discover seven myths, debunked here.

How Does Anxiety Influence Your Health

Fight or flight— it’s how our body responds in stressful or anxious situations. The body working in tandem with the mind is an incredible thing. As we continue to learn more about how our emotional feelings can manifest in physical ways, the more connected they appear to be.
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