Time and again, it has been proven that since we are social creatures, companionship is a factor that we need to thrive. It gives us joy and respite from the daily mental hiccups and eases anxiety and depression. In fact, it also increases our longevity. But there is a downside to it as well, which is called mental health issue. In this article, let us find out more about the following:
1. Pros of social media
2. Cons of social media
3. Signs that your mental health is affected by social media
4. Tips to overcome mental impact due to social media
So, let us take one sub-topic at a time in the paragraphs that follow:
Pros of social media
Social media allows you to communicate with friends and faraway family members. It facilitates networking, which might be helpful in your business ventures, and enables you to make new friends. Seeking emotional support, a place to vent your feelings, and raising awareness concerning issues are a few benefits of using social media.
Cons of social media
Where there is social media, a reason for comparison creeps in. There are downsides in your life that are greater than you assumed. By now, we all know that the images we see on social media are mostly filtered and have been done with an airbrush. Yet it gives a sense of insecurity. The main reason for addiction to social media is FOMO or Fear of Missing Out.
Signs that your mental health is affected by social media
You will see the following indicators that confirm the impact of social media on your mental health:
1. Compare yourself with others on social media. Doing so lets you have low self-esteem. You may have negative body image issues that can lead to eating disorders.
2. Cyberbullying to avoid mental health issues: You may also become a victim of cyberbullying. It is quite natural to feel disappointed that you cannot control what others post about you.
3. Lack of self-reflection: You spend every moment seeing posts and reels. You deprive yourself of the time for self-reflection or for your betterment by spending time on quality things.
4. Engage in risky activities to gain attention. You become so obsessed with social media’s likes, comments, and so on that you do not hesitate to undertake risky ventures, even if that means risking your life.
5. Sleep disorders: Although you know that light from devices releases emissions, it does not deter you from stopping scrolling your phone for the first time in the morning or the last thing at night.
Tips to overcome mental health impacts due to social media
Here, we have some tips so that you can divert yourself from social media platforms as much as possible. The tips are as follows:
- Set screen times
- Take breaks in between
- Indulge in as many outdoor activities as possible
- Arrange excursions and all types of outdoor activities with friends and family
- Turn off the notifications
In summary, remember that social media is not always a reality. It is suitable for entertainment, but it must not uproot you from reality!