It seems like nowadays everyone is glued to their phone screens. It can consume your time and social media can be a major distraction.
That's what Ben Simmons came to realize over the last year.
"I'll be on my phone when I need to, but if I'm with my family or friends, I'm typically not on it all the time," Simmons said. "It's a distraction. Phones are great but they're also sometimes on the bad side depending on what you're look at, whether it's Instagram, Twitter, whatever people are saying. You got to be present, be in the moment."
There is plenty of negativity on social media - especially for a young, All-Star player like Simmons.
What he's found is that if he doesn't focus on what other people are saying about him, it puts him in a better mental state ahead of games.
"Staying off your phone before games, locking in, not letting others determine how you feel mentally," Simmons said. "Lesser distractions for me, the better I play, which I love. I love going into a game not having any worries besides my teammates or winning a game."
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In an open interview, which you can watch above, Simmons discussed how his focus has changed and how he's not letting outside voices affect his preparation or play on the court.
NBC Sports Regional Networks has launched a multi-platform campaign on mental health and men's health, HeadStrong: Mental Health and Sports, for the month of November. You can find more information about the initiative here.
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