Do Photo Books Support Mental Wellbeing?

Many of us live chronically online lives, whether it’s for school, work, or entertainment. Around 80% of us check social media or the news in the first 15 minutes of the day, and, on average, we spend 6 hours and 38 minutes per day on screens.

Nearly half (41%) of American teenagers (13-18) spend more than 8 hours per day on screens. For now, we are not fully aware of the long-term effects of such a lifestyle. Some studies have found connections between the time spent online and increased states of anxiety and depression, but we need more data and studies on the subject.

One thing we know for sure right now is that too much of anything is never good. So, if you’re looking for a way to balance out the madness, we propose a fun project: making your own photobooks.

What’s a Photobook?

It’s not entirely implausible that you’ve never browsed a photobook before. But we’re sure you know what a photo album is. Your parents probably have one filled with photos from when you were a baby, or maybe you put together one for your wedding. Or perhaps you’re a parent yourself and want to create a hard copy photo album for your kids.

Unlike an album, where printed photos are inserted into pockets or glued to the pages, a photo book is a fully printed and bound book. The photos are digitally placed on pages that follow a customizable layout, and then the entire thing is printed by a specialized shop.

The best part about photobooks is that you can have the best of both worlds. You can work with user-friendly tools like Canva's photo book maker to design unique layouts and themes, and you get to choose which pictures go where. Then, you send the design to a print shop and receive a gorgeous physical book that’s way easier to browse when you feel nostalgic or want to show off to family and friends.

Instead of scrolling through your phone, the physical, tactile experience of holding a photo book and turning the pages offers a unique and powerful way to connect with your memories and, in doing so, support your mental and emotional health.

How Does a Photobook Help My Mental Wellbeing?

We like to see photobooks as the result of our digital and real life colliding. 

Think about it: most of your photos (and ours) gather digital dust on some cloud somewhere. Sure, you may use a few for your lockscreen and backgrounds, but that’s it. The rest? You may only see when it’s declutter time because you no longer have room for new ones.

However, if you take the time to browse through your digital albums, select the best photos, place them in a layout, and have them printed, they become real, tangible memories. 

We dug a little deeper and learned there’s more to creating your own photobooks. The process involves powerful feelings and emotions that contribute to an overall balanced mental wellbeing, such as nostalgia, reflection, mindfulness, gratitude, and meaning. 

Nostalgia and Positive Emotions

Looking through old photos of a family vacation or of an event where you had a good time triggers feelings of nostalgia, which is a sentimental and warm feeling about the past. Research has shown that nostalgia supports a meaningful life and can improve emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. 

When you curate a selection of your favorite photos, you create a tangible collection of your most cherished memories, making it easier to revisit those moments of joy, gratitude, and love.

Promoting Mindfulness and Reflection

To escape the always-online lifestyle, you need mindfulness and grounding. The process of selecting photos, designing layouts, and adding notes keeps you fully immersed in the activity. This focused attention can quiet a busy mind, relieve stress, and provide a sense of calm. 

The activity also encourages intentional reflection, allowing you to focus on positive experiences and find meaning in your life journey.

A Sense of Gratitude and Accomplishment

When you create a photo book, you are intentionally focusing on the good things in your life. This can cultivate a sense of gratitude and life satisfaction. Furthermore, completing a creative project like a photo book provides a boost of accomplishment and a sense of pride in your work, which can enhance self-esteem and confidence.

Strengthen Social Bonds and Family Connections

If the theme allows it, invite family and friends to contribute with their own pictures or have them over and reminisce together while deciding on the layout, photos, and overall design. This shared experience can foster a sense of togetherness and strengthen social ties.

Wrap Up

In a nutshell, photobooks are fun and exciting projects that help you bring digital memories into the real world. They’re also amazing to browse through whenever you find yourself wondering, “Where did my time go?” 

A life spent chronically online robs us of a normal perception of time, as everything seems to be running at high speed. So, if you’re looking for a way to slow down, why not start with a photobook?

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