Overexposure to social media, lack of exercise, overwork have worsened mental well-being: Economic Survey 2024-25

Overexposure to social media, lack of exercise, overwork have worsened mental well-being: Economic Survey 2024-25

Overexposure to social media, lack of exercise, not spending enough time with one’s family and overwork (hours exceeding 55-60 per week) have all worsened mental well-being among Indians, said the Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament on Friday, January 31, 2025, by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman.

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Hostile work cultures and excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth, states the Survey while highlighting that lifestyle choices, workplace culture and family situations are critical for productivity. If India’s economic ambitions are to be met, then immediate attention must be given to lifestyle choices that are often made during childhood/youth.

“The increase in mental health issues in children and adolescents is often linked to the overuse of the internet and, specifically, social media. The phone-based childhood is rewiring the very experience of growing up,’’ the Survey document stated.

Given the direct costs to human welfare, putting mental well-being at the centre of the economic agenda is prudent, states the Survey, besides listing the series of mental health initiatives taken by the Government of India including its mental health nation-wide helpline.

“It is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions. India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth,’’ said the Survey.

Establishing a link between good mental health and clean eating habits, the Survey noted that individuals who rarely consume ultra-processed or packaged junk food have better mental well-being than those who regularly do so. It also says that those who rarely exercise, spend their free time on social media or are not close to their families have worse mental well-being and spending long hours at one’s desk is equally detrimental to mental well-being. 

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The Survey highlighted that low levels of mental well-being are worrying, and the the consequences this problem could have on the economy are equally disturbing.

It emphasised the urgent need for school and family-level interventions to encourage healthy pastimes such as meeting with friends and playing outside, and also said that investing time in building close family bonds would go a long way towards keeping children and adolescents away from internet thereby improving their mental well-being.