In this day and age, almost everybody uses social media. With smartphones, we have daily access to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and more. While social media can be highly enjoyable, it can also be a detriment to your mental health. How does social media affect your mental health?
Feelings of Inadequacy
Seeing posts about people’s lives and appearances can quickly bring about feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Even if you know that not everybody has a perfect life or many images on social media are manipulated, you may still feel insecure about how you look or how you live your life. Manipulation of posts, unfortunately, does not lessen feelings of envy or dissatisfaction.
Fear of Missing Out
Social media can trigger fear of missing out, or FOMO, in many people. It can be challenging to see photos and videos and think other people are having more fun than you or not inviting you places. The idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger anxiety, and fuel even greater social media use.
Increased Isolation
Consistent social media use can increase feelings of isolation. As you use social media more and more, seeing other people doing things can increase feelings of loneliness, which decreases overall well-being.
Risk of Cyberbullying
Unfortunately, many people are bullied over social media or are subject to mean offensive comments. Cyberbullying can lead to:
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- Reduced feelings of self-worth
- Physical issues such as headaches and stomachaches
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Increased risk of developing an eating disorder
Managing Social Media’s Effects
While social media can negatively impact your mental health, it also has positive effects, including providing a voice for the voiceless and increased connections with other people. Managing your social media use can help you experience the positive effects of social media.
To help yourself manage your social media use, you can:
- Turn off smartphone data connectivity at certain times of the day
- Leave your smartphone out of reach while sleeping
- Turn off your notifications
- Limit social media use to a computer instead of a smartphone
- Limit use to 30 minutes a day
Almost everyone across the world uses some form of social media. While social media is fun, it can also be highly damaging to your mental health. Social media can cause feelings of inadequacy, fear of missing out, increased isolation, and increased risk of cyberbullying. If you are struggling with your mental health, social media can make things worse. Luckily, The Guest House is here to help you overcome your mental health struggles and find healing. For more information on our treatment options, call us today at (855) 483-7800.