Step 1. Analyze your tech use
Record your mood, mental state, and phone analytics
Let’s analyze your time on screen, app use
Establish a baseline so you can see growth and change
Is this Problematic Phone Use (PPU)? Is this Problematic Internet Use (PIU)?
Use your phone analytics to identify time on screen per day.
Go to Settings - Screen Time
Daily and Weekly averages plus total screen time
Time spent on social, informaiton and reading, and other
Most used Apps or categories of apps
Pickups displays which app you accessed first when you picked up your phone
What else do you notice about your screen time behaviour? Make a note on your Digital Wellness Log
Is this Problematic Phone Use (PPU)? Is this Problematic Internet Use (PIU)?
The Mental Health Continuum
Make a self-assessment regarding your state of mental health this week. Your wellness can influence how much time you spend on screen and what you look at while on screen. Make a note of how you are feeling and how it may impact your digital use.
Mental Health Continuum (Government of Canada,2025)
Seligman's Theory of Well-Being
Seligman's PERMA Model explained HERE
Day One Journaling
Journaling and self-reflection help individuals record events from the day, and reflecting on their emotions or reactions to those events can help establish patterns and build emotional self-regulation skills (Vidhya, 2021).
Reflective Journaling: These journals go beyond self-awareness because they ask the person to consider their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and the impacts on their current situations or personal growth journey (Laffier, 2013).
Self-reflection: Taking the time to reflect on one's thoughts, feelings, and actions can enhance self-awareness. Individuals can engage in self-reflection by journaling, talking with others, or simply taking time to think (Grant & Ashford, 2008).
Group reflection: Engaging in group reflection can provide a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and gain new perspectives (Petrarca, 2010). This can include online support groups, discussion forums, or in-person support groups.
There are a number of apps that support emotional awareness through mood tracking or journaling; however, 46% of adults aged 50+ report little or no trust in AI-generated information (University of Michigan, 2025). This age group may be hesitant to share personal feelings in an online app.
Active Listening and Empathy are important skills for positive interpersonal communication and relationships (GlobaLeadership, 2025)
The World Health Organization recognizes self-awareness as one of ten life skills that promote well-being across all cultures.
Day One Journaling. (2026). Day One: Journal & notes app. https://dayoneapp.com/
Government of Canada. (2025, February 17). The mental health continuum model (MHCM). Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/health-support/road-to-mental-readiness/mental-health-continuum-model.html
Psych Central. (2021, May 17). Ready, set, journal! 64 journaling prompts for self-discovery. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/blog/ready-set-journal-64-journaling-prompts-for-self-discovery/
Madeson, M. (2017, February 24). The PERMA model: Your scientific theory of happiness. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/