How social media can impact one's relationships and mental health

Social media has a huge impact all over the world. Everyone is influenced by the new era of social media, and we are all so lost in this world that we often neglect how it can impact our health. Scrolling through reels until 3 in the morning is not going to benefit your physical and mental health. According to a study from the Journal of Behavioral Addictions (2019), digital media can lead to anxiety and depression. Social media has many disadvantages. Let's look at five ways social media can impact mental health:

1. Insecurity: Being a part of this generation is not easy. You come across so many people who look better than you, who are doing better than you, who are traveling, and who have aesthetically pleasing accounts. All of these things can make you feel inferior and not good enough. You have to encourage yourself not to feel bad about yourself. According to a study from the Journal of Youth and Adolescence (2019), social media is linked to self-esteem.

2. Jealousy: Nowadays, every time you open your social media account, you start comparing yourself to others; you start to resent watching their content, and you may feel jealous of their lifestyle and appearance. According to a study from the Journal of Adolescent Health (2018), social media can increase jealousy among users.

3. Lack of sleep: Social media can take away your sleep; scrolling through reels late at night won't bring you quality rest. It can harm your cognitive function and completely disrupt your sleep. The blue light emissions from your device can disrupt your sleep schedule. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 75% of adults use electronic devices before bedtime, resulting in delayed sleep onset and reduced sleep duration.

4. Stress and anxiety: Social media can make you feel anxious and stressed. According to a study by the Royal Society for Public Health, social media can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anxiety.

5. Depression: Nowadays, many people are trying to distance themselves from social media to protect themselves from depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 45% of adults suffer from depression due to social media.