Lifestyle choices, workplace culture, and family situations are crucial for productivity, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Survey emphasises that if India’s economic ambitions are to be met, immediate attention must be given to lifestyle choices, many of which are shaped during childhood and youth.
“Mental well-being encompasses all our mental-emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capabilities. This can also be construed as the mind’s composite health,” the Survey stated. It defined mental well-being as the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively.
Impact of Digital Overuse on Children and Adolescents
The Survey highlighted the rising mental health issues among children and adolescents, linking them to excessive internet and social media use. Citing Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Children is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, the Survey noted that the emergence of a “phone-based childhood” is fundamentally altering the experience of growing up.
A better workplace culture leads to improved mental well-being, according to the Survey. It also pointed out that hostile work environments and long hours at a desk can have adverse effects on mental health, ultimately slowing down economic growth.
The Role of diet and exercise
The Survey revealed that individuals who rarely consume ultra-processed or packaged junk food tend to have better mental well-being than those who consume them regularly. Similarly, people who rarely exercise, spend excessive time on social media, or are not close to their families report worse mental health.
The document highlighted that low levels of mental well-being are concerning, and their impact on the economy is equally alarming. Poor mental health can significantly slow down productivity, which in turn hampers economic growth.
The need for early interventions
The Survey underscored the urgent need for school and family-level interventions. Encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities, meet friends, and build strong family bonds can help reduce their reliance on the internet and improve their mental well-being.
The document suggested that reconnecting with traditional values and practices could be key to improving mental health. “Returning to our roots may allow us to reach further for the skies in terms of mental health,” it stated.
A call for preventive strategies
Given the scale of the issue, the Survey stressed the need for effective and impactful preventive strategies. With India’s demographic dividend heavily reliant on the skills, education, physical health, and mental health of its youth, putting mental well-being at the centre of the economic agenda is both necessary and prudent.
