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Dr. Julie Smith is sitting behind a rainbow of five Post-it notes, each meant to represent one of the “Top Five Signs of High-Functioning Depression.” Said signs will be familiar to anyone who has spent time scrolling through the part of social media devoted to improving one’s mental health:“You do everything the world asks of you, so no one would ever know you feel empty inside,” you don’t find pleasure in the same things anymore, social events are tiring….Story continues…
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Source: Vox
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Using social media more often, though, increases FOMO and feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation. In turn, these feelings negatively affect your mood and worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Because social media may foster feelings of FOMO, isolation, and low self-esteem, using these platforms may exacerbate symptoms in people who already have these conditions. Stepping away from social media may improve these symptoms.
Spending several hours per day on social media sites such as Facebook can be a sign of social media anxiety disorder, and it can greatly affect both mental and physical health. Spending too much time online has been proven to often cause eye strain, neck pain, lower back problems, and hand and wrist cramping.
- Establish clear boundaries for social media use. Designate specific times of the day for checking social media and stick to them. …
- Schedule regular digital detoxes. …
- Practice mindfulness and meditation. …
- Cultivate offline interests. …
- Seek support when needed. …
- Educate yourself.
Social media can negatively impact our overall wellbeing by fueling anxiety, depression, loneliness and FOMO (fear or missing out). These issues are especially prevalent in teens and young adults. Social media is here to stay and will continue to evolve and become more invasive. The benefits often outweigh the fear of missing out. Some of the benefits of deleting social media include: Reduced Anxiety: Many find peace of mind without digital interruptions. Constant alerts, stress, and worry fade away.
According to a research study of American teens ages 12-15, those who used social media over three hours each day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities such as sex, food, and social interaction. The platforms are designed to be addictive and are associated with anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments.
Social media and networking can indeed contribute to overthinking for several reasons: Information Overload: The sheer volume of content available can overwhelm users, leading them to analyze and overanalyze information, posts, and reactions.For some people, that might be two to three hours per day, while it could be as little as 10 to 30 minutes for others. As a general recommendation for adults, Whittington suggests limiting leisure screen time—including social media—to less than two hours per day.
Both social anxiety and social media anxiety stem from the fear of being judged and the desire to make a good impression. Social anxiety can make you nervous about interacting with people in real life, and social media anxiety can make you hesitant to share your thoughts and experiences online.How Social Media Works on the Brain. Studies have shown that social media has a powerful effect on the brain, and it can create stimulating effects similar to addiction.
“Social media platforms drive surges of dopamine to the brain to keep consumers coming back over and over again. However, social media usage may also have negative impacts on social isolation by substituting social media usage for face-to-face social interactions, or by exposing individuals to unrealistic or distorted portrayals of connections’ lives, leading to feelings of social isolation.However, numerous studies indicate that social media use is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
If this sounds familiar to you—or you notice feelings of anxiety, depression, insecurity, comparison, or discontent creeping in after scrolling—it might be time to finally answer the question, should I delete social media, with a “yes.” Ironically, quitting social media can actually make you more social in real life. Without the constant stimulation of social media, you may find yourself more motivated to meet up with friends and family members in person, have meaningful conversations, and build deeper connections.
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