The Impact of Social Media on Your Mental Health

We've all experienced it: our phones glued to our hands, following us from room to room. Maybe it's the first thing we grab when we wake up. But it doesn’t end there. We dive into our social media feeds, mindlessly scrolling and stimulating our minds way beyond what feels natural. By the time it’s not even 10:00 am, we already feel heavy and drained.

ˋ°•*⁀➷ˋ°•*⁀➷ˋ°•*⁀➷

In this issue, we’re going to highlight

• Why is social media addictive
• The challenges that arise from social media
• Tips to overcome the habit
• Coach of the day

Why does this happen?

Receiving positive feedback stimulates the brain to release dopamine. This rewards the behavior associated with social media, thus, perpetuating the habit of using it. Dopamine’s motivational properties play a role in addiction.

Of course, not all social media is bad. Social media has indeed become an essential part of our lives nowadays, helping us connect with others, express ourselves, and share information. But, let's face it, it comes with its own set of challenges, especially for young women's mental health. There's a lot to unpack here, but here are some of the main challenges:

• Comparison Culture: One of the most impactful effects of social media on mental health is the pervasive culture of comparison it breeds. Especially for young women, platforms like Instagram and Snapchat often showcase carefully curated images of perfection. This constant exposure to idealized lifestyles can fuel feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety.

• Self-Image and Body Image: Social media platforms frequently promote unrealistic beauty standards, particularly affecting the self-image and body image of young women. Constant exposure to filtered and edited images can distort perceptions of beauty, leading to increased dissatisfaction with one's appearance and potentially contributing to poor body image and eating disorders.

• Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: Let's face it, bullying and harassment in this day and age can occur more frequently and often without consequences. Social media platforms attempt to mitigate this behavior, known as cyberbullying, but it cannot be fully controlled. This often results in feelings of shame, isolation, and depression.

3 tips to gain power

1. Limit Screen Time:

• It's crucial to set boundaries around social media use to avoid burnout. Create designated screen-free times and prioritize real-life interactions for a healthier balance. You can use features on your smartphone to monitor and limit screen time, ensuring you stick to your goals.

2. Curate Your Feed:

• Be selective about who and what you follow on social media. Unfollow accounts that promote unrealistic beauty standards or negativity. Instead, opt for accounts that promote body positivity, mental health awareness, and authenticity. After all, who wants to see fake, photoshopped content anyway?

3.   Practice Digital Detox:

• Take regular breaks from social media to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. Try dedicating one day a week to being completely offline. Start with shorter periods, like three hours, and gradually increase until you can go the whole day without your phone. You'll notice the positive impact on your well-being.

Stats of the Day

Since the release of smartphones, mental health concerns have increased in children and young adults. The rate of adolescents reporting symptoms of major depression in a given year increased by 52% from 2005 to 2017. From 2009 to 2017, it grew by 63% in adults ages 18 to 25.

Tip of the Day

Limiting social media use is the best way to improve mental health. Using Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat for only 10 minutes per day for three weeks led to lower loneliness and depression. 

But reducing social media use to even 30 minutes per day results in significantly lower levels of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loneliness
• Sleep problems
• Fear of missing out (FOMO) 

Here’s how we can help you

You’re not alone, even if you feel like you are at times. Reach out to our mental wellness specialist who can guide and help you through your journey, wherever you may be. 

Meet Christine Joo, a compassionate and culturally-informed psychotherapist dedicated to collaborative healing journeys. With a master's degree from New York University and experience in crisis intervention, family dynamics, and addressing issues like anxiety and depression, I'm committed to supporting you through life's challenges. Whether it's reshaping narratives or navigating transitions, I'm here to empower you toward growth and resilience.

Book my session with Christine

Shift Your Mindset, Change Your World