There is no denying we live in a tech-heavy world. Our phones are rarely out of reach (maybe even in your hand as you read this), and social media has become part of our daily lives. It’s how we stay connected, share updates, laugh at memes, and keep up with what everyone else is doing. New platforms pop up constantly, and with endless content to consume, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Social media becomes a balance of addiction and connection, pleasure and stress. In this blog, we will explore the effects of social media on mental health—both the pros and the cons.
Social Media and Mental Health – The Addiction
Social media becomes an addiction as it taps into our brains’ reward system—specifically, the release of dopamine. Every time you get a like on a post, watch a funny reel, or scroll through perfectly curated photos, your brain releases this feel-good chemical. Dopamine is associated with pleasure, which causes the brain to seek more entertainment, which quickly turns into endless hours of mindless scrolling. While the dopamine rush might feel good at the moment, it has lasting effects on your mental health.
The Negative Effects of Social Media
We all know that social media is not the best for our mental health, and there is a time when we need to unplug. Here are some ways social media affects us:
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Seeing friend’s posts about an event you weren’t invited to can make you overthink and leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and left out. Even if you know it was just one plan, it can leave you feeling emotionally vulnerable.
- Poor sleep: Scrolling into the late hours of the night can affect the quality and patterns of your sleep. Poor sleep is linked to depression and memory problems, and can make it harder to focus.
- Disconnection: Constant connection online can cause you to feel disconnected in real life. There’s an underlying pressure from social media to stay up to date with trends and everyone’s lives, which often leaves many feeling overwhelmed and anxious from too much content consumption.
- Comparison: No one is posting their worst moments. Social media provides a perfectly curated world where everyone posts their best filtered selfies and highlights of the best moments of their lives, making everything look more perfect than it actually is. Comparison can quickly creep in and affect your self-esteem.
Benefits of Social Media
Yes, there are benefits! Not all social media use is bad. When you consume or post with intention, it can support your mental health. Here is how:
- Connection: While we talked about disconnect, social media can also provide connection with your friends and family, no matter where they live. Social media can keep you connected with childhood friends or keep you informed when someone’s visiting your city, making the world feel smaller in the best way.
- Community: Social media can help you find your people or provide a place to create your own community of like-minded people. It gives a sense of belonging and provides a supportive community.
- Creativity and Learning: Social media can spark creativity and even help you learn a new skill. Most tutorials are short and entertaining, making learning more accessible and digestible.
Finding a Healthy Balance
As we mentioned, there’s a balance that needs to be found when using social media. When the purpose of social media is intentional, it can provide benefits to your mental health. To keep yourself from falling into the easy trap of mindless scrolling, set healthy boundaries like tracking your time spent on social media apps. You can go into your phone settings and also set time limits for each platform. Only follow people you know or accounts that inspire you and provide a valuable community. Skip the ones that make you feel like you need to live up to unrealistic expectations. And don’t forget to make time for in-person interactions in your daily routine.
At the end of the day, social media is what we make of it and how we choose to use it.
Contact Ketamine Greater Boston
If you need additional support on your mental health journey, contact Ketamine Greater Boston today to schedule a consultation.
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