Post by account_disabled on Mar 11, 2024 4:04:50 GMT -5
It's nothing new that excessive use of social media has a direct impact on people's mental health. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, LinkedIn... We live immersed in a whirlwind of constant messages and content that trigger anxiety, depression and comparison. Of course, in the hyperconnected world we live in, it is very difficult to completely isolate yourself from social media, however, it is possible to live with more balance in order to avoid the harmful effects of extremes. We can and should use social media for, not against, our health. Let's reflect together on this important issue? In this article you will see: summary How does social media affect mental health? The main signs that social media is disrupting your life 8 tips for using social media with balance How can therapy help in this process? How does social media affect mental health? Social networks have a very good side, which is the possibility of breaking geographical boundaries, allowing people from different parts of the world to connect. Furthermore, globalization also allows news, emergencies and information that impact the world population as a whole to be disseminated more quickly. In other words: something could happen in Japan that people on the other side of the world quickly find out about in real time. We cannot deny, therefore, that social networks play a fundamental and necessary role in society.
The problem begins when its use becomes excessive and, sometimes, even addictive. According to the report “Digital in 2022: Brazil”, by Hootsuite and We Are Social, Brazilians spend, on average, more than 10 hours a day on the internet. Of this total, around 3 hours and 41 minutes are spent on social media. Another shocking piece of data came from a survey by Comscore, which showed that Brazil is Bahamas Mobile Number List the 3rd country that consumes the most social networks in the world, with more than 130 million active accounts, of which 127.4 million are unique users. This excessive use of social networks can generate several mental health problems. The triggers are the most varied: social comparison, exposure to negative news, the need to constantly show off one's life, cyberbullying and even social isolation. Hyperconnectivity and mental disorders The virtual environment, if not very well managed by the person consuming content, is capable of triggering disorders such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, digital addiction, among others. Social comparison is one of the biggest problems, as social networks promote this culture in which everyone feels pressured to compare their lives and achievements. The consequence? In many cases, self-esteem problems, feelings of inadequacy and issues of anxiety regarding social image.
After all, who has never felt inferior, even for a minute, when seeing content from people who seem to “have the perfect life”? Furthermore, another point of attention is exposure to negative news, such as political crises, natural disasters, wars and violence. All of this can also cause depression, anxiety and emotional stress. The Covid-19 pandemic is a great example of this type of situation, as cases of depression and anxiety exploded during this period, and there is a direct relationship with the excessive consumption of negative information. FOMO syndrome and its consequences With social networks, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is also further strengthened, a syndrome characterized by the constant need to know what other people are doing. It's a feeling of anxiety, which is this fear of being left out of what's happening in other people's lives. After all, we use social media for just that: knowing what others are doing. What you need to remember to avoid this suffering is that what celebrities, influencers and even close friends share on social media does not always match reality. Most people tend to only show the good part of their lives and being aware of this is essential to avoid comparison and serious self-esteem problems. When you put a lot of your day's energy into keeping up with other people's daily lives and lose focus on your own life because you just compare yourself excessively, it's a symptom that something isn't going well. Watch! The main signs that social media is disrupting your life Smartphones have already become an extension of our body and, most of the time, they are within reach of our hands.
The problem begins when its use becomes excessive and, sometimes, even addictive. According to the report “Digital in 2022: Brazil”, by Hootsuite and We Are Social, Brazilians spend, on average, more than 10 hours a day on the internet. Of this total, around 3 hours and 41 minutes are spent on social media. Another shocking piece of data came from a survey by Comscore, which showed that Brazil is Bahamas Mobile Number List the 3rd country that consumes the most social networks in the world, with more than 130 million active accounts, of which 127.4 million are unique users. This excessive use of social networks can generate several mental health problems. The triggers are the most varied: social comparison, exposure to negative news, the need to constantly show off one's life, cyberbullying and even social isolation. Hyperconnectivity and mental disorders The virtual environment, if not very well managed by the person consuming content, is capable of triggering disorders such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, digital addiction, among others. Social comparison is one of the biggest problems, as social networks promote this culture in which everyone feels pressured to compare their lives and achievements. The consequence? In many cases, self-esteem problems, feelings of inadequacy and issues of anxiety regarding social image.
After all, who has never felt inferior, even for a minute, when seeing content from people who seem to “have the perfect life”? Furthermore, another point of attention is exposure to negative news, such as political crises, natural disasters, wars and violence. All of this can also cause depression, anxiety and emotional stress. The Covid-19 pandemic is a great example of this type of situation, as cases of depression and anxiety exploded during this period, and there is a direct relationship with the excessive consumption of negative information. FOMO syndrome and its consequences With social networks, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is also further strengthened, a syndrome characterized by the constant need to know what other people are doing. It's a feeling of anxiety, which is this fear of being left out of what's happening in other people's lives. After all, we use social media for just that: knowing what others are doing. What you need to remember to avoid this suffering is that what celebrities, influencers and even close friends share on social media does not always match reality. Most people tend to only show the good part of their lives and being aware of this is essential to avoid comparison and serious self-esteem problems. When you put a lot of your day's energy into keeping up with other people's daily lives and lose focus on your own life because you just compare yourself excessively, it's a symptom that something isn't going well. Watch! The main signs that social media is disrupting your life Smartphones have already become an extension of our body and, most of the time, they are within reach of our hands.