How Social Media Affects Our Mental Well-Being
Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
For a long time now, social media has gotten us through some difficult times. This was especially true at the peak of the pandemic. It served as an essential tool to access information and served as a source of entertainment or distraction.
Social media continues to be useful till date in helping us cope with the digital age where we stay connected with each other through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok since it helps us tell our stories.
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However, within the realm of social media, there is always the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good and The Bad
Social media is undeniably a great tool that assists us in staying connected to loved ones who are far away. We can also find people who think like us and this makes us feel secure.
We just don’t meet new friends in the same way as in the old times anymore.
“Online, you can act however you would like without showing your true personality. You can portray yourself in any way,” as stated by an article from The Cowl.
Without discrediting the power of social media, it has always given us an avenue for sharing experiences or seeking support during tough times such as those related to mental health issues which sometimes become a positive thing while at other times not so much.
This is by no means all good but also never all wrong either.
The Science Behind the Screen
According to one study done by researchers at the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, revealed that ‘limiting social media use to around 30 minutes per day may lead to significant increases in well-being.’
The research backs up these observations, where they found an influential link between time spent on social media and increased levels of depression and loneliness.
In most cases, seeing perfect pictures of perfect people just makes us feel like we’re not measuring up. More often than not, it results into lower self-esteem that can lead into serious emotional distress.
“A growing number of studies have found that social media use is positively associated with anxiety,” said Frederick Edward Fabella in his research titled Social Media as a Danger to Mental Health.
He also concluded that there is ‘a low positive relationship between social media use and anxiety.’
The Ugly Truth
Social media is created to be addicting. Each like, comment or share makes the brain release dopamine also known as the “feel good” chemical. It is responsible for the reward system that can make us addicted and we become obsessed with our phones just to see if any notifications have come in.
Reece Robertson, mentioned in his blog that it is easy to get stuck ‘into a dopamine induced loop.’
He said that this feel good chemical pushes you to seek, get rewarded for seeking, then makes you want to seek more.
“It becomes harder and harder to stop looking at email, stop texting or stop checking your phone to see if you have a new notification,” Robertson added.
The truth is we’re all just seeking validation and we all want to feel like we belong and social media gives us that satisfaction through instant gratification. Instant gratification is described as the immediate desire to feel satisfaction.
“It manifests itself in impulsive decision-making for the fulfillment of an urge instantly and is also known as immediate gratification,” according to Study.com.
However, as the term suggests, instant or immediate gratification results into less satisfaction and heightened anxiety. Also, BetterHelp says that it has a negative impact on our focus and that it ‘can change our brain, and reinforce pathways that strengthen less healthy habits.’
The Simple Solution
With social media’s prominent presence in this digital age, here are a few simple ways to keep it from taking over our lives.
Start by setting limits on your daily usage. Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day and try your best to stick to it. Be selective of the accounts you follow and choose those that make you feel good and unfollow those that don’t.
Regularly step away from social media to reset and recharge your well-being. Digital detoxes, even if short ones, can significantly help you regain focus. However, you need to be realistic about it.
“The process is often more about setting boundaries and making sure that you are using your devices in a way that benefit, rather than harm, your emotional and physical health,” said Kendra Cherry, MSEd in her article from VeryWell Mind.
When you’re online, try to focus on positive interactions and steer clear of negative ones. Remember, you’re the one in control of your social media usage.
Lastly, if you believe that social media is affecting your mental health negatively, don’t hesitate to seek help and talk to someone about it. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a professional. Make sure that you get the support and guidance that you need.
Social media is a powerful tool that can either support or undermine our mental health. By being aware of how it affects us, we can enjoy the benefits without letting it take a toll on our well-being.
It’s all about balance and taking control of our social media habits. Understanding these dynamics can definitely help us navigate the digital age in a positive manner.
Above all, remember to unplug and prioritize your mental health.
