What are the effects of social media on mental health?

Why do we use Social Media?

To be fulfilled in life and to have good mental health, we as humans need companionship. Social connections with our family and friends can help ease or reduce stress anxiety or depression. These connections can be found on social media and allow many to feel part of a community.

Most of us access social media via our smartphones or tablets. While this makes it very convenient to keep in touch, it also means that social media is always accessible.

Positive and Negative Impacts

Social media has many benefits such as communicating with family and friends around the world who you are not able to visit regularly. Many well-being benefits have been found enabling us to find a vital social connection if you live in a remote area, for example, or have limited independence, social anxiety can stop you from forming social connections. Many businesses utilise use social media to promote and capture new audiences. Allowing them to show support and help raise awareness for campaigns that help project brand awareness.

Many of us are aware that people only show the positive sides of their lives on social media, however, this does not stop feelings of envy and comparison of our own lives. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Even if you are aware that images you’re viewing on social media are manipulated, they can still make you feel insecure about yourself. It can make you feel isolated and can lead some to become obsessed with a certain look or fad lifestyle to aspire to.

Improve your Mental Health – Reduce your time online

Change your focus

For many of us, we access social media purely out of habit or boredom. However, if we focus on our motivation for logging on, we can not only reduce the time we spend on social media, we can also improve our experience and avoid many of the negative aspects. 

Spend more time offline

There are plenty of ways to build meaningful connections without relying on social media. It is important not to rely too heavily on social media to fill this gap. We need face-to-face interactions to stay healthy and happy. Make time for your friends to meet for a coffee or walk over the park. If you don’t fancy meeting up with family or friends you could join a club and take up a hobby. This will help to speak to like-minded individuals at a regular catch-up each week.

Overall, there is always a healthier substitute for your social media use? If you’re feeling lonely, for example, invite a friend out for coffee instead. If you are feeling depressed or anxious? Take a walk or go to the gym. If you are bored? Take up a new hobby. Social media may be quick and convenient, but there are often healthier, more effective ways to satisfy a craving.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

We understand the bravery it takes to seek help for a mental health issue. As one of the leading Homecare providers of bespoke mental health care in the UK, we pride ourselves on flexibly offering superior support – with everything from day-to-day care to highly specialised clinical expertise. We understand that coping with this stress and anxiety can be difficult. Our Registered Mental Health Nurses can provide help and support for those who need it.

To find out more about our private homecare services and how best we can help you or a loved one please call us on 0203 008 5210 or email info@cavendishhomecare.com.