How Social Media Is Directly Affecting Your Mental Health

Anxiety

Anxiety associated with social media has been characterized by researchers as feelings of restlessness and worry and issues with concentration and sleeping. A study published in the Journal of Computers and Human Behavior found individuals who indicated they use seven or more social media platforms on a daily basis were three times more likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, as opposed to other users who used two or fewer platforms. However, the research connecting social media to anxiety is still in its infancy stage, and it is unclear exactly how social media may cause anxiety in its users.

There is also a strong connection between social media and sleep quality. Read on to discover the details.

Sleep

Recent research has found artificial lighting, especially the blue light emitted by smartphone, tablets, and laptop screens, can inhibit the body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. Essentially, lying in bed using a phone or tablet will reduce the quality of sleep and lead an individual into a restless slumber.

In 2017, researchers from the University of Pittsburghsurveyed 1,700 individuals, ranging from eighteen to thirty years old, about their sleeping and social media habits. The research concluded there is a link between social media and sleep disruptions, with the blue light phenomenon playing a large part, as well as the obsessive need for users to constant ‘check’ their social media for new updates. The bright light found on our devices can delay circadian rhythms necessary for sleep, and researchers believe social media can cause physiological arousal before sleep, delaying the brain from properly winding down and preparing for sleep.

Continue reading for information on the influence social media can have on your relationships.