Study: Social Media is Giving People Depression and Anxiety
The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health recently had a study where their conclusions stated are;
"Use of multiple SM platforms is independently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, even when controlling for overall TSSM. These associations are strong enough that it may be valuable for clinicians to ask individuals with depression and anxiety about multiple platform use and to counsel regarding this potential contributing factor."
People will compare themselves to others' posts seen and feel inadequate. There's also a biological element to this where if they see what they posted gets a lot of likes/upvotes then small amounts of dopamine is released in the brain. When the person does not get like/upvotes they feel loss.
It's not just depression and anxiety that comes along with social media. Addiction is a huge factor in all of this too.
The term "digital heroin" is being coined where people are finding it hard to go on a social media detox. People are finding it difficult to quit all together.
It's been suggested that people to try and take breaks and limit the number of platforms they use down to no more than 3. Some people use as many as 12!
Something else that might help
Some of us who are on social media all day may also be bringing on this depression by not giving ourselves ample amounts of sunlight exposure which also can trigger depression. I tend to do this myself because I work so much on the computer.Something that I try to make a habit of is take a break and go outside for at least 15 minutes and will go into direct sunlight in that time. It helps!
Sunlight has many benefits as it will increase your serotonin levels, and give you vitamin D. So, if you have the sunlight available to you don't miss out on your daily dose!
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When they started the work from home concept a few years ago, it failed. It failed because the staff who worked in this way were largely what we called the typing pool. People could not function properly without the hierarchy and interaction from mother hen down to the chicks. Nothing has changed. Humans are herd animals!
Have a great time with your herd! Happy Christmas to you.
Great point!
Merry Christmas to you too.