Social media has become a significant part of our lives. We use it to communicate with friends, keep in touch with family and share our thoughts and experiences. But social media doesn’t just impact our daily lives; it also affects our health.
Social media can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health issues. Studies have shown that the more you use social media, the more likely it is to cause these adverse effects. Due to the rapid growth of social media platforms over the last few decades, human interaction patterns have transformed significantly. The implications of the rapid rise of social media and its relationship with mental and physical health have gathered the profound attention of researchers, psychologists, and healthcare professionals. Researchers have gathered considerable evidence to support the association between excessive use of social media and poor mental and physical health.
Here are a few ways how social media can impact your mental health:
- Social media leads to mental health issues
A study by the American Psychological Association found that using social media can lead to feelings of loneliness. It also found that it can decrease self-esteem and increases a sense of inadequacy. It is because social media often shows people living their lives in an idealized way, which makes some users feel inferior. The research has shown a direct association between social media usage and substance abuse problems among young individuals. Social media exposes teenagers to drugs and exerts peer pressure that tempts them to experiment with different types of illegal substances.
Moreover, excessive online presence on different social media platforms is a significant stressor that may also trigger a relapse. Teenagers addicted to drugs or substances require holistic clinical interventions for detoxification. They often need residential treatment facilities to prevent relapse. Numerous facilities offer individualized treatments for different types of addiction, such as the Delphi Health Group, which provides treatments, detoxification, and residential programs. For more information about their services, you can visit their website www.delphihealthgroup.com and identify the available treatment methods.
- Social media affects our physical health.
According to a study by UB researchers, social media can lead to poor physical health. Another report suggests smartphone users are more likely to develop spinal curvatures, associated neck pain, rounded shoulder, and invertebrate disorder. In this study, the participants who utilized excessive social media had higher C-reactive protein levels. CRP is an important biological marker for chronic inflammation that helps predict serious health issues like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The study also identified that social media use relates to somatic symptoms such as chest pain or headaches.
- Social media instills compulsive disorders.
When people use their phones, they often use Facebook or Snapchat. These applications contain features that make it easy to scroll through posts without stopping. Compulsive use of social media affects around 5% of young individuals. It is known as more addictive than tobacco and alcohol. It is also linked with an urge to check social media for instant gratification and dopamine production. One danger connected with the compulsive use of social media is that if the user does not experience instant gratification, it leads to negative internalized beliefs of being unpopular. A study by OECD concluded that individuals who excessively remain engaged on social media have lower life satisfaction.
- Social media affects our sleep patterns and quality of life.
A study published in the journal for Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that using social media can cause sleep deprivation. The recommended use of social media by the American Academy of Pediatrics is 2 hours per day. A cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 concluded that there is a strong association between excessive social media use and poor sleep quality. High social media use leads to sleep deprivation which further causes dysfunction and depression. Another study by Oxford University reported that adults who check their social media applications 30 minutes before bedtime are more likely to experience sleep deprivation and disturbances as excessive blue light keeps them active and awake. The blue light also suppresses the melatonin hormone that helps an individual fall asleep.
- It has led to an increase in depression among teenagers and young adults.
It creates an expectation of perfection that we can’t achieve. Social media can also lead to feelings of melancholy among teens and young adults. A study published in the journal PLOS One found that people who use social media excessively are more likely to report feeling depressed and anxious. Social media also causes depression and worsen anxiety, according to a study.
There is a lot of debate over whether or not social media is bad for your health. Some argue that spending too much time on social media can lead to depression, anxiety, and obesity. Others claim that social media can benefit mental health by providing a supportive community and helping people stay connected with friends and family. More research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of social media on health.
There are a few key points to keep in mind if you want to use social media in a way that is healthy for you:
- Make sure you are taking breaks from social media. Having time away from the constant flow of information and updates is essential. It will help you to avoid getting overwhelmed or feeling like you need to be constantly checking your phone.
- Seek professional help if you feel like you’re struggling to control your use of social media. Suppose social media is causing you significant distress. In that case, it might be a good idea to talk to a therapist or counselor who can help you manage your use of social media healthily.
- Be aware of how you feel after using social media. If you feel more anxious or stressed after spending time on social media, it might be a good idea to take a break from it. The excessive use of social media can be prevented through various clinically proven modalities such as motivational and cognitive therapies.
- Use social media to connect with people you already know rather than trying to meet new people. It can help you to avoid any negative feelings that might come from comparing your life to other people’s lives.
- Don’t use social media as a replacement for real-life interactions. It’s essential to stay connected with friends and family in person rather than just online.
Conclusion
Social media has become an integral part of daily life. It allows the individuals to connect, reach, and engage with the target audience. It is a great place to learn and share opinions. However, excessive use of social media platforms leads to numerous health issues. It is essential to critically assess and understand how social media engagement contributes to mental and physical health. Various research studies have indicated a link between social media usage and poor physical health, anxiety, depression, and compulsive disorders. Moderation is the key to avoiding these health issues; therefore, one must use it in moderation to truly enjoy the boons of social media platforms.