Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media
Most of the time, social media is great. It allows us to stay connected with friends & family, and it gives us an opportunity to share life’s greatest pleasures with them. Our brains literally release “happy” hormones when we log on. We can share stories, photos and videos with our followers and friends, and learn new things. Now more than ever, people are learning to use social media therapeutically. It can be a great way to relax, collect your thoughts and reflect.
The Positives
How you decide to use each platform is up to you. One way in which you can use social media is as a mood booster. To do this, find accounts that post about positivity and inspiration, and you just may find that interacting with this type of content actually is good for your mental health. It lifts your spirits and helps you think positively, even on days that you are struggling.
There are also many great support groups with Facebook and even Instagram. You will find people going through similar experiences and hearing their stories can often help you through your own struggles.
The Negatives
If you interact with the wrong people, get bullied or are constantly finding yourself engaging in negative content, you may want to take a step back. Also, if you find yourself becoming distant from friends and family because social media is consuming too much of your time, don’t be afraid to put your phone down for the day and enjoy the company of others. You want to make sure that you aren’t trying to cover your problems with social media, and that you are taking care of yourself and your mental health first.
Find a community that resonates with you. They’re out there, and there’s no reason to log on just to feel badly about yourself.