I am so happy to hear about the new campaign from one of my fav skincare lines, the pioneering clinical skincare brand, Murad® because the cultural stress that results from digital addiction is a definite concern in my Life right now. In today’s always-on world I, like everyone else, am more digitally-connected than ever before. However, we are yet less connected to one another in meaningful ways. People are mean to each other and disregard each other in ways that are completely unacceptable to me due to a lack of interpersonal relations.Hell, we have a man in the White House, who regularly insults people via Twitter? Who can believe how disconnected we have become? And to add to the disadvantages of being constantly attached to our phones and laptops, it is also aging. Did you know that, for your skin, four days in front of your computer is the same as 20 minutes in the mid-day sun? A daily dose of blue light from electronic devices can accelerate visible signs of aging. We are constantly checking our devices, and as a result, we are exposing ourselves to blue light – a wavelength of visible light that more deeply penetrates skin that even UVA. Imagine how many hours you spend on your computer. Now calculate that in terms of blue light exposure! That’s why Murad® is launching the EyesUp Campaign, a new initiative designed to educate people about the danger of digital-only relationships and the power of real-world human connection. Through the campaign, Murad is encouraging people around the world to go “EyesUp” and connect with one another in real life.
Renowned as the “Father of Internal Skincare,” Dr. Murad’s groundbreaking work and research over the past decade has centered on helping people cope with Cultural Stress™, or the stress of modern living. The hallmarks of Cultural Stress include digital dependency, the inability to disconnect from work, and lowered self-esteem due to increased social expectations.
“As a dermatologist, I believe that healthy skin is a direct reflection of how you live your life. But today, nearly all of us are living in an increasingly stressful, always-on environment,” said Dr. Howard Murad, Founder of Murad. “The irony of technological advancement is that we are more digitally connected than ever before, yet less connected to one another in meaningful ways. This has profound implications for our skin, health, and ultimately happiness.”
In fact, this type of constant and pervasive stress has tremendous health consequences, which are particularly visible on the skin. Chronic stress, like that from Cultural Stress, has been shown to weaken immunity, increase inflammation, and accelerate aging[1]. Through the EyesUp campaign, Murad hopes to use its brand expertise on the topic to empower people to connect by disconnecting, thereby taking action against their own form of Cultural Stress.
The campaign kicks-off today with the launch of an educational film created to raise awareness about the power of human connection. The campaign video, (see below) directed by acclaimed director Kassim Norris and produced by Hecho En 72, the production company situated inside award-winning creative agency 72 and Sunny, depicts the physical and emotional tolls digital dependence takes through the lens of various people living in social isolation.
https://youtu.be/P4S0MVu25p4
Murad is also launching a content hub (www.EyesUp.com) to educate people about digital dependence and social isolation, and take the EyesUp pledge. The in-depth resource will include new research, tips and tools for unlocking the power of human connection, and articles from expert contributors including neuroscientist and mind-body expert Dr. Claudia Aguirre and the renowned research organization Sputnik Observatory, dedicated to the study of contemporary culture.
To coincide with the external consumer launch of EyesUp, Murad is unveiling an innovative employee engagement program. Beginning today, each employee is invited to take the EyesUp Diagnostic Quiz to measure their own levels of Cultural Stress. Based on this diagnostic tool, Dr. Murad will host EyesUp “Office Hours” for employees to get a prescription for coping with their unique source of Cultural Stress.
Additionally, Murad has installed EyesUp Digital Device Stations in each conference room to encourage device-free meetings and deeper connections with one another throughout the day. The organization has also created “EyesUp Zones” throughout the office where employees are encouraged to talk with one another face-to-face over complimentary drinks and water-rich fruits and snacks.
Throughout 2017, the EyesUp campaign will be supported by a robust social media campaign, public relations efforts, and in-store retail activations. This is the first in a multi-year commitment to helping people unlock the power of human connection.
For more information on the Murad EyesUp campaign, visit www.EyesUp.com.
Take the EyesUp pledge here: EyesUpPledge
ABOUT MURAD, INC.
Founded in 1989, Murad is a pioneering clinical skincare brand dedicated to encouraging people to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Backed by 19 unique patents and a 30-year legacy of research and clinical testing, Murad’s unique philosophy, called Connected Beauty, is a whole person approach to health and beauty that inspires people to nourish their skin, awaken their body through physical activity, “eat” their water by consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables, and be kind to their mind. To learn more about Murad and its products, visit www.murad.com.
