Today, we are connected to the world through social media. We get news or information about an event from all corners of the world instantly. In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Even if we are not together, we are connected to friends and family through online platform.

Every day, new trends come up that we are connecting ourselves with and following. But while doing all this, it is also important to see how social media is affecting our health. Can scrolling through Instagram, YouTube or Facebook, or tweeting from online pages like Twitter affect our mental and physical health? Although social media has benefits for our health, it can also have disadvantages. This should be kept in mind.

In this blog, we will look at how social media affects our mental and physical health and how we can balance our health in this digital age.

Positive Side: The role of social media in enhancing your health

Most of the time, social media is viewed negatively or even as a tool for passing. But today, a lot of work is being done through online platform to promote mental and physical health.

1. Mental Health Support and Awareness

Today, social media platforms are doing a great job of creating awareness about mental health. Campaigns on mental health are being implemented on many online platforms like YouTube or Instagram. There, people are able to participate openly and express themselves. People are finding the platform more comfortable. Because today, people do not have time to talk to people, they do not have time to understand their feelings, they do not have time to discuss. Due to this, people are getting lonely.

Therefore, people are turning to online platforms because there are groups and communities there that can give you the right advice or individual sympathy. There, people share their problems, their experiences, which removes the feeling of loneliness from the mind and the person can get mental support. Which helps in getting rid of constant anxiety, depression.

Today, we see many therapists, consultants, doctors, and psychologists conducting online health sessions through online platforms. This counselling is becoming very important and beneficial. Because you can participate in these sessions even sitting at home for free. This service is very useful in places where there is no medical facility.

2. Health and Fitness Encouragement

Many people are following the fitness community on online platform because social media is helping many people to live a healthy life. Today, instead of going out to the gym, without spending money, we have considered Instagram and YouTube as our instructor at home. Today, social media is sharing workout routines, diet tips, and motivational content. Physical positivity is especially helpful in maintaining mental well-being through exercise to live a healthy life. Many influencer’s have been inspired by this.

Many are getting free workout training through tutorials, which makes it easy to start the fitness journey at home. The trend of fitness challenges is also popular on many online platforms. People are participating in challenges like 30 days challenge, 15 days challenge with interest. Along with that, social media is inspiring many people to save time and money regarding health. It has also become easier to keep informed about our health.

Today, online platform is doing a good job of spreading awareness about health. Especially, everyone from children to the elderly is responding well to it. Due to this, many are getting inspired and it is increasing day by day.

3. Access to Health Information

Today, health content is readily available and this is made possible by online platform. There is no need to visit a doctor for minor ailments like before. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or LinkedIn are helping people in a way by sharing valuable information about healthcare, such as giving tips on minor ailments, following a diet, and sharing information about home remedies.

Social media has given people the freedom to make decisions about their health. This has made it easier for people to detect symptoms of illness, learn about appropriate treatments, and more. Regular users of social media can engage directly with experts or follow reputable organizations. This allows them to stay informed about the latest health updates and trends.

For example, fitness influencer’s often share information about specific dietary needs or supplement facts, while mental health advocates provide strategies and coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety.

Negative Side: Health Risks of Social Media

While there are some benefits to using social media, there are also some disadvantages. Some types of inappropriate content can have a negative impact on people’s mental and physical health. Let’s learn more about this in detail.

1. Mental Health Risks: Anxiety, Depression and Low Confidence

Unhealthy comparisons on social media have been widely criticized for a long time. Many people are seen comparing their lives to the lives of others through posts on Instagram or Facebook. Sometimes this can be upsetting for the person, leading to frustration and depression.

This can lead to a loss of self-esteem for some. Studies have shown that people who overuse online platform feel lonely and inferior when they see posts of others showing off their success and material possessions.

Also, constantly scrolling through updates about friends’ vacations, parties, or milestones can make people feel left out, increase their stress levels, and affect their mental health. This can lead to feelings of “fear of missing out” (FOMO) that can increase feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction.

2. Cyber-bullying and Online Harassment

One of the negative effects of social media is online fraud, online harassment and cyber-bullying. Many people have had bad experiences with this. We cannot imagine that online platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter can become a bad environment where one has to face trolling, online bullying or hate speech.

The effects of online bullying can be particularly devastating for those struggling with mental health issues or for adolescents. Studies have shown that cyber bullying can lead to depression, anxiety and suicide. Sometimes, it can also lead to financial losses, which can have a significant impact on mental health. Platforms are improving their anti-bullying measures, but users need to be aware and vigilant.

3. Impact on Physical Health

The biggest negative effect of social media is a sedentary lifestyle. People spend hours sitting in one place while scrolling through videos or shorts. Sitting in one place for a long time can lead to increased inactivity. It can also lead to headaches, eye strain, or obesity. It seems to be more effective on children. It can lead to problems like vision loss at a young age, lack of interest in studies, and decreased physical activity.

Another problem is the effect of blue light emitted by screens, which can affect your sleep. Looking at mobile screens late at night can be dangerous because it can disrupt the hormones that regulate sleep. Health problems such as sleep loss, fatigue, and a weakened immune system can occur.

4. Health Myths and Misinformation

The most dangerous aspect of social media is the spread of misinformation. There is a constant attempt to mislead people using online platforms. Most of it is about health. Health myths, false treatments, wrong advice are given. Unproven supplements are suggested to lose weight, increase height, and get glowing skin. Which are deceptive for our health.

Misinformation can invite health problems. The consequences are not limited to the individual but can also be dangerous for families and communities, especially when it comes to public health issues like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finding Balance: Healthy Social Media Habits

It is important to find a healthy balance considering the positive and negative sides of social media. It is important to take care of your health by using online platform properly. Here are some tips that we can follow for that.

1. Set Boundaries and Time Limits

You should decide how much social media you want to use. Social media doesn’t control you; you have to control it. Setting boundaries is important for that. You can use an app timer or screen time tracker to determine how much time you should be active on online platform. Especially, see if you can avoid using your mobile phone during meals or before bed.

2. Select Content That Inspires Positivity

If used correctly, social media can be a source of positivity and inspiration for you. Find and follow accounts that promote mental health, body positivity, wellness and fitness. Identify and unfollow accounts that spread misinformation. A healthy diet can motivate you and inspire you to maintain positive habits.

3. Engage with Purpose

Instead of scrolling through inaccurate or useless information, try to gather information that is useful for your life. Follow similar pages or communities. Spend your time engaging in the right places. Participate in activities or interactions with intentionally, focusing on meaningful contributions and outcomes rather than just going through the motions.

4. Prioritize Health Information

When getting any information about health, check it with evidence. Follow them only after making sure. If you are not sure, always consult a doctor before trying a new diet or health trend that you see online.

Conclusion

Social media has a profound impact on our health, for better or worse. While it can offer support, inspiration, and valuable information, it also carries risks related to mental health, physical health, and the spread of misinformation. By practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries, and curating your digital environment, you can create a more positive and balanced relationship with social media.

Remember, social media is a tool—how you use it determines the impact it has on your health. Don’t get hung up on anything. Get as much information as you need, stay connected, and most importantly, be mindful of how you feel.