What’s the Connection between Social Media and Mental Health? Here’s What You Should Know:

There’s no denying that we live in a very plugged-in world. These days, many young children practically come into the world with a smartphone or tablet in hand. However, while there are certainly benefits to the technological advancements we have made, such as being more connected to loved ones who live far away, the wealth of information at our fingertips, and even the option for virtual therapy, there are also downsides. So let’s look the downsides of social media, how social media affects mental health, and what we can do about it.

Is Social Media Addictive or Validating – or Both?
You’ve probably been caught in a “scroll hole” before, whether it be Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or another social media platform. It’s easy to keep scrolling to pass the time – between short-form videos, memes, shares from friends, and general entertainment, there’s just so much so see and learn that we get caught up in consuming it all. Social media itself is designed to be addictive, as it releases dopamine in the brain, a chemical that makes you feel good. This dopamine release can lead to continually using social media to achieve the same feeling repeatedly.

In particular, people may feel addicted to the feeling of social acceptance. Likes and comments on platforms such as Instagram can be reaffirming to us. It causes us to feel a sense of worthiness and validation. If people like our tweets or photos, we must be doing something right. This, however, is not the healthiest mindset to have. Trying to, as they say, “keep up with the Jones” can result in a pattern that leads to a desperate need for validation.

Validation, though, can be just as harmful as it is a feel-good boost. It’s easy to view someone’s account and wonder why their post got more likes than yours or why their life seems more fun. In a way, social media has become a way to prove that your life is better than everyone else’s, which isn’t how we should be living. Social media should not be a comparison of joy, but rather a celebration of it. Just as you are happy to be a part of your followers’ lives and share in their happiness, so too are they happy to be a part of your journey – regardless of the number of likes a post gets.

Social Media and Doom-Scrolling
There’s another side of social media addiction many don’t often think about: doom-scrolling. It’s no secret that we live in often-turbulent political and economic times, and we see these times playing out across our social media feeds. Videos depicting the aftermath of disaster, commentors shouting theories and accusations, people sharing their fears for their futures, we consume it all in relatively short amounts of time. This is considered doom-scrolling, being unable to stop filtering through anxiety-producing content. While it’s not necessarily a form of validation for how we live our lives, it is nonetheless a social media addiction.

So How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health?
In this technological age, social media and mental health go hand in hand. Excessive use of social media can lead to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression and can even cause impacts to physical health, particularly for those who find themselves more sedentary than usual.

Beyond that, interacting with others through social media and seeking instant verification there can make us feel less need for in-person communication, as we believe we are fulfilling our social interaction needs. Isolation can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, and make it harder for us to reach out for help.

What You Can Do to Prevent or Overcome Social Media Addiction
So, what is the solution to social media and mental health concerns? The good news is, you don’t have to go off the grid or delete all of your profiles. Rather, try to be more mindful of your feelings while using these platforms and decrease your screen time. You can start by setting aside a particular block of time each day when you can unplug. Try walking, stretching, reading a book, or talking to a friend. There are many ways to enjoy ourselves and others without needing the internet.

In addition, remember that social media is not reality. In one way or another, people are likely curating their accounts to give off a particular aesthetic. Whatever the case, social media is not real life, and likes don’t say anything about your worth.

Speaking with a therapist can also be a beneficial way to work on changing your habits. A mental health professional can give you individualized advice and work with you on decreasing excessive social media use. If social media has impacted your mental health, contact us at Sol Mental Health to combat those negative feelings and restore joy to your daily life.