Stressed out? Blame social media

Studies show that excessive use of social media raises stress levels

Social network users risk becoming more and more addicted to social media platforms even as they experience stress from their use. Despite the many advantages associated with social media, there are a number of negative effects caused by its excessive usage. Among the common negative effects of social media use are stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, cyberbullying, hacking, scams, cheating and relationship problems, drug abuse and even death.

Research into the habits of 444 Facebook users revealed they would switch between activities such as chatting to friends, scanning news feeds and posting updates as each began to cause stress. This leads to an increased likelihood of technology addiction, as they use the various elements of the platform over a greater timespan.

A study published in the July 2016 issue of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication and other research have found that when we receive targeted, personalized communications from people with whom we have strong ties — such as a direct message or comments on a photo we share — well-being tends to improve. By contrast, social media interactions with someone with whom we have a weaker tie (or an easy-to-produce or one-click interaction, such as “liking” a photo or viewing a friend’s photo or post) don’t tend to help our well-being. The study further examined two separate ways of coping with the stress. The first included users creating a diversion by partaking in other activities away from social media, which is the more obvious path. They would switch off, talk to friends or family about issues they were experiencing and spend less time on the platform.

However, the other method consisted of diversion through engaging in different activities within the same Social Network Services (SNS) app itself, and potentially moving on a pathway towards SNS addiction. This method was more prevalent among those social media users who used the sites more regularly.

A study published in the July 2017 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reported that using platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat for more than two hours a day is associated with feelings of social isolation among individuals between ages 19 and 32. Other data shows that the incidence of depression increases among young adults (also those of ages 19 to 32) who use social media more often than their peers, according to research published in the April 2016 issue of the journal Anxiety and Depression.

“Social media in some cases provides the social support we (as in all human beings) need,” says Christine McCauley Ohannessian, PhD, a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the

Ohannessian’s research, published in January 2017 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, has found that the more time young people spend using social media, the more anxiety symptoms they report experiencing and the more likely they are to experience an anxiety disorder. Other data shows social media use is linked to more alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, and drug use, according to a study published in January 2017 in the journal Emerging Adulthood.

The use of social media is very addictive. Once you sign up, logging out becomes a problem. Many people have been addicted to social media, meaning they are always on their phones and computers--liking, commenting and tweeting. It becomes impossible for such people to spend more than an hour without their phones. Now you can imagine a person who has been addicted to using a smartphone, without access to it, he or she is actually stressed. The urge to be updated with new social media posts makes you feel like you're aren't living in the present world.

Social media addiction comes integrated with low quality sleep. The time you're supposed to be sleeping you're checking the viral content on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, which limits your sleeping hours. People addicted to social media often chat with their friends till late at night. Despite your sleeping time, you still have to wake up early to go to school or work.

As you didn't have enough sleep the previous night, your day will likely be filled with anxiety. You'll likely find it hard to concentrate on your day-today activities, which could lower your productivity. If you're a student, your performance starts dropping and in the end you will be stressed by your poor grades. If you're employed, lack of enough sleep denies you the ability to interact with fellow employees, your productivity depreciates and eventually, your employer can add to the stress with an angry fusillade based on your low performance.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SOCIAL MEDIA USE: *Track your use. You need to know how much time you spend on social media.

*Be selective about who and what you follow. Stop following accounts that make you feel insecure or upset.

* Browse with more awareness. Don’t browse with the sense that every image serves as evidence that others are happier and living better lives.

* Make time to disconnect. Pick a time in your day to actively not check social media.

* Use social media with intention. Use it in a way that supports the other parts of your life such as family time, work, exercise, and other interests.

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