Contents
- 1 How do you balance social media and mental health?
- 2 How does social media affect mental health in a good way?
- 3 Is there a healthy way to use social media?
- 4 How do you not let social media affect your mental health?
- 5 How social media affects mental health pros and cons?
- 6 How does social media affect relationships negatively?
- 7 Does social media cause mental health problems?
- 8 What does social media do to your brain?
- 9 What are some positive effects of social media?
- 10 How social media makes you feel better?
- 11 How much social media a day is healthy?
- 12 Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with Instagram?
- 13 How do I stop social media anxiety?
- 14 Should I delete Facebook for my mental health?
- 15 How can social media prevent depression?
5 tips to balance social media and mental health
- Limit your posts. Even if you accomplish 100 amazing things today, you probably shouldn’t post 100 times.
- Be compassionate.
- Take a break.
- Be proud but don’t “smoast”
- Find inspiration you can use IRL (in real life)
Being socially connected to others can ease stress, anxiety, and depression, boost self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness, and even add years to your life. On the flip side, lacking strong social connections can pose a serious risk to your mental and emotional health.
Keep things IRL (In Real Life). If social media is causing you any stress, consider deleting apps such as Facebook and Instagram from your phone so that you don’t have easy access to them. Prioritize time spent with friends and family over time spent scrolling through social media.
There are a few steps that you can take to help distance you from the negative impact of social media.
- Spend Less Time Online. This is easier said than done when picking up your phone is second nature.
- Use Social Media Intentionally.
- Connect More With Friends Offline.
- Practice Mindfulness.
- Encourage Communication.
Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health
- Pro – Increases communication and raising awareness.
- Con – Promotion of fake news.
- Pro – Can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Con – Can also increase feelings of loneliness.
- Pro – Normalises help seeking behaviour.
- Con – Can promote anti-social behaviour.
Several studies have linked social media use and body image issues. A person’s body image issues can significantly affect their relationships. In other words, these insecurities triggered by social media can interfere with emotional and physical intimacy and the overall quality of a relationship.
When people look online and see they’re excluded from an activity, it can affect thoughts and feelings, and can affect them physically. A 2018 British study tied social media use to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance.
Social media has the ability to both capture and scatter your attention. Not only does this lead to poorer cognitive performance, but it shrinks parts of the brain associated with maintaining attention.
Some of the benefits of social media are:
- Having a platform to showcase technological savvy and creativity.
- Increased self-confidence by empowering introverts to express their ideas.
- The ability to create lifelong friends.
- Strengthening social awareness and empathy.
Ways to feel good on social media
- Get help if you see something upsetting.
- Follow someone new.
- Remember that what you see isn’t always real.
- Forget about ‘likes’
- Be nice to other people.
- Decide when you want notifications.
- Stop scrolling and do something else for a while.
So how much social media is a healthy amount? Experts have recommended 30 minutes or less per day as the maximum time you should spend on social media. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, limiting use to 30 minutes a day can lead to better health outcomes.
Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with Instagram?
It’s Time To Be More Intentional Yikes. So it comes as no surprise that Instagram is not actually always a healthy companion, especially when we’re sacrificing the companionship of the people we love most. Instagram can be a powerful tool for creativity, for education, and for connection if we use it mindfully.
What to do
- Remember that your social media post is just one of many. Some aspects of communication are distinctive online, and this might increase social anxiety.
- Switch your focus of attention.
- Don’t compare yourself with others.
- Participate more, without overthinking.
Should I delete Facebook for my mental health?
A new study, which is being hailed as the most trustworthy scientific assessment of social media’s effects, suggests that quitting Facebook is unequivocally positive for one’s mental health. The one-month cleanse also led to a reduction in time spent on Facebook for several weeks after the experiment.
Social media may contribute to depressive symptoms, but these four tips can help you scroll less and feel better about your time spent online.
- Turn off notifications. Try muting notifications for all apps — including emails and texts.
- Set time limits.
- Be selective.
- Use social media mindfully.