Social media is a computer-based technology that allows people to share their ideas, opinions, and information by forming virtual communities and networks. Social media can be a useful tool since it fosters a sense of community among users. Humans are sociable animals that thrive in the company of others.
Social media fosters rich social networks, keeps us informed about everyone's life, and fosters a feeling of community.
To locate and interact with one another, many of us use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram. While each has its own set of advantages, it's vital to realise that social media will never be a substitute for genuine human interaction. It has the potential to have a significant impact on our mental health and happiness.
Being socially linked to people may help you cope with stress, worry, and depression, enhance your self-esteem, give comfort and joy, prevent loneliness and increase your life expectancy.
But it has its down sides as well, it can cause a lack of strong social ties and might put your mental and emotional health at danger.
Multiple studies have linked excessive social media use to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm, loneliness, and even suicide ideation. Social media can cause long term consequences I.e., good and bad.
The Drawbacks of Social Media
Feelings of inadequacy in your life or appearance
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
Increased feelings of loneliness
Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are at risk of developing or worsening.
Cyberbullying
Excessive self-centeredness and a disconnect from real-life relationships
Stress, despair, or boredom may be disguising other underlying issues caused by excessive social media usage.
Signs that social media is having an adverse effect on your mental health
Many of your offline social interactions have been replaced by using social media.
Making negative comparisons to others based on the beauty standards of social media.
Being distracted when it comes to work that needs focus.
Having little time for yourself due to constantly being on social media.
Having sleeping problems-Phones and other electronics emit light that can interrupt your sleep, which can have a negative influence on your mental health.
Changing social media use to have better mental health
Reducing time online by switching notifications off, disconnecting or switching off your phone and tablets for a few hours to reflect on yourself, limiting checks and changing the positions of your app in your phone or removing apps from time to time to focus better.
Changing your focus and finding a healthier substitute to social media- Most of us are addicted to social media use and it's important to know when to release it and breathe into the present. Some ways you can find a substitute to social media is by introspecting and figuring out what makes you happy, it might help meeting a friend for lunch, exercising or taking a stroll in the park, it may be helpful to find a new interest or hobby. It can also enhance your experience and help you avoid many of the drawbacks
Connect with friends in real time- Catch up with old friends, grandmothers, family, take out time to reach out to the important people in your lives, join a club or an activity of your interest, talk to new people and relearn how to interact with people.
Take time to reflect and feel gratitude- practice mindfulness through breathing exercises and meditation, it can help with distorted eating styles, anxiety and frequent social media checks, give back and hardwire ourselves to help others whether it may be humans or animals and reflect on how your day went and identify things that made it a good day.
Be better in real life than on social media.
- Tanvi Kalsi
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