How to protect your mental health in the age of social media?

Social media is a fantastic way to stay in touch with loved ones, stay informed about news, and keep up with the newest trends. Many people enjoy social media platforms, yet this constant connection comes with concerns for our mental health. 

More than a third of Americans believe social media is bad for their mental health, according to a survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

The World Economic Forum reported that more than 50 million people in the UK use at least one platform. That's more than 80% of the population, which demonstrates just how important social media has become to our daily lives.

Compared to older adults, youth are more likely to have more social media profiles across more websites and apps. Youth also have the highest rate of mental health issues of any age group. In England, 52.5% of 17 to 23-year-olds reported a decline in their mental health between 2017 and 2021.

Using social media excessively might make us feel alone and lonely as we relocate our connections online. Constantly reading articles about friends and famous people who seem to be more well-known, gorgeous, successful, and having a good time than us can make us feel envious, depressed, and low in self-worth, Maryland Primary Care Physicians (MPCP) reported.

Protecting our mental wellness has become part and parcel of our daily life. The Mental Health Commission of Canada recommended to recognize the functioning of our brain. The brain believes what it sees. For instance, it can be challenging for your brain to distinguish between a photo that has been significantly edited and one that you are aware of intellectually. The majority of us are compelled to keep scrolling even when the photos make us feel inadequate or unworthy because humans have a strong response to visual stimuli.

Dopamine, the hormone that makes us feel good and is released when we use a medium that delivers us quick victories, also draws us in. We get small endorphin rushes from likes, hearts, shares, and comments without putting in a lot of effort. It's crucial to comprehend these and other neurological processes at work in order to use social media safely.

In order to protect our mental health, MPCP suggested to keep it short while using social media every day. We should also avoid viewing the platforms after 10 p.m. Moreover, it is better to trim or mute unnecessary online contacts and avoid the swamp. 

We should also not let it replace real life. We can chat with friends, but it should not take the place of face-to-face conversations. The core human urge for connection and belonging can only be met by a real, live person sitting across from you. On the other hand, if social media is affecting our relationships, self-esteem, employment, or academic performance, yet we can't quit, we may be addicted and need help.

According to the World Economic Forum, one should be active, not passive. Passive use of social media is unmindful scrolling through news feeds, which can have unfavorable effects. On the other hand, active use, like texting and responding to messages, is linked to a stronger sense of social connection and more social support. Active use makes the user take control. 

It is also important to take a break. Though the long-term benefits of quitting social media are unknown, recent studies have shown that doing so for one week significantly improves wellbeing, depression, and anxiety, especially among heavy or passive users of the concerned site.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada stressed not to compare our lives with those on social media. Even while it's normal to contrast our own experiences with online content, keep in mind that what we are seeing is a carefully edited representation of reality. Individual users (and organizations) choose carefully what they want the world to see even without filters. Treat social media like a movie, viewing it through the prism of enjoyment rather than reality, to safeguard our mental health.