Mental Health vs Social Media
Though human ' s are social creatures , social media can affect our mental health tremendously . It is important to know how to have a healthy relationship with social media .
It is not a secret that social media is a toxic medium towards one ’ s mental health and self-image . A tool intended for marketing and networking with others who share similar interests has become a device to portray unrealistic standards through a rose-tinted lens .
Though the target is usually women , men suffer from the visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok where you ’ re expected to be muscular , but lean , tall and dominant . These ideals can unfortunately lead to the dissatisfaction in yourself and competitiveness or envy towards others . This can eventually result in depression , eating disorders , suicidal thoughts , loneliness and an unhealthy relationship with your body or life in general .
Though there are negatives of using social media , the platforms could be used as a support system . It can be used to learn new skills , connect with others and keep in touch with friends and loved ones . But this doesn ’ t mean you should allow social media to control your life . Here are a few suggestions on how to have a healthy relationship with social media :
Start your day intentionally Avoid your phone in the morning .
It may become an unhealthy habit to use your phone as soon as you wake up . Though avoiding your phone for a whole day could be difficult for many , however , you are not always in control of what you see or is shared through social media . This can impact your mood or mental health for most of the day . So , avoiding social media in the morning and doing other things like meditating , reading or even exercising can contribute to a healthier mental state .
Prioritise real life friends – Live in the moment .
According to a Better Up article , being present and , in the moment , can help decrease stress and help you have more control over your thoughts . A way to be more mindful is to turn off your notifications , and spending time with real people . This can help you reconnect with your friends and appreciate the moments you share . If you do find your finger hovering over an app on your phone you might want to consider deleting it , especially if it causes any stress or harm to your mental health .
12 MENTION IT ISSUE 1