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Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. While it has many benefits, like staying connected with loved ones and increasing your visibility, excessive social media usage can negatively impact our mental health.
Here are some of the reasons why.
Viewing Life Through a Filter
Scrolling through filtered photos and overly upbeat posts can make us compare ourselves unfavourably to others. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem and even depression. The pressure to measure up to the carefully curated lives and appearances of others can contribute to a sense of dissatisfaction with our own lives.
A study by the Newport Institute revealed that using photo filters can make us feel better momentarily but over time. they distort body image and diminish self-worth. The further our filtered selfies stray from reality, the worse we feel about ourselves.
A Substitute for Real Life
While social media allows us to connect with others, relying too much on it can mean we miss out on real social interactions. While social media platforms provide opportunities for connection, they often lack the depth and richness of in-person interactions
Studies have shown that face-to-face interactions offer unique benefits that cannot be fully replicated online. Meaningful conversations and group activities, which often occur in real-life social interactions, have positively impacted mood, increased feelings of belonging, and enhanced overall well-being.
Too Much Negativity
Constant exposure to bleak news stories and hateful comments can have detrimental impacts on our mental well-being, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.
Several studies have examined the impact of cyberbullying on individuals' well-being, particularly in relation to mental health outcomes. Witnessing or being a target of cyberbullying and encountering hateful comments can impact mental health, leading to increased levels of stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even suicidal behaviour.
Social Media Addiction
Many people struggle with social media addiction and often experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability when they take a break from it.
Several studies have examined the addictive nature of social media and its impact on our well-being. One study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that excessive social media use can lead to addictive behaviours and that individuals with higher levels of addiction had greater difficulty in controlling their social media use. This addictive behaviour can manifest as a strong and uncontrollable urge to constantly check social media platforms, leading to feelings of dependency and difficulty in detaching from online interactions.
The Cost of Sleep Deprivation
Checking social media at night can disrupt our sleep cycle and negatively impact sleep quality. This disruption can have significant implications for our mental health, as lack of sleep has been linked to various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Several studies have found a strong association between nighttime social media use and sleep disturbances. The use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, before bed, can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness. The blue light emitted by these devices can suppress melatonin production, making it more difficult to fall asleep and lowering the overall quality of our sleep.
The Impact of Social Media
We need to be mindful of how social media makes us feel and try to use it in a balanced way. Take breaks from it, limit time spent on it, curate a positive feed and engage in more face-to-face interactions. Remember that there is life outside of our phones and computers. Social media is a tool - how we choose to use it is what matters most for our mental wellbeing.
If you feel that your social media is starting to impact your life negatively, please reach out for a chat to discuss how healthy boundaries and social schedulers can work together to protect your mental health.
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