With internet available on the fly, scrolling through social media during night time has become a ritual for many. With so many social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok etc, there is an ocean of content available and though some see it as a harmless manner of unwinding before sleeping, it can negatively affect you and have impact on both your physical and mental health.
Some of the dangers associated with social media is as follows:
Increased Anxiety & Stress
The constant bombardment of content especially negative content tends to increase anxiety and stress and can increase cortisol levels which makes it difficult to relax and sleep. Over a period of time it can lead to chronic stress which can lead to a lot of health issues such as high BP, mental health disorders and weak immunity.
Sleep Pattern Disturbance
One of the biggest dangers of social media is impact on sleep and it is a known fact that blue light emitted by smartphone suppresses production of melatonin which is responsible for regulation of sleep wake cycle. When these levels are low, it makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep. People become sleep deprived and it effects mood and overall health of an individual.
Mental Health Complications
Social Media Scrolling can lead to a number of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness. It tends to increase risk of mental health problems generally in young users. It can lead to emotional exhaustion and lead to feelings of mental fatigue and burnout.
Fear of Moving Out & Social Comparison
Social media exacerbates the concept of FOMO and you might start comparing your life to perfect lives being portrayed by others and you may start feeling left out. All these comparisons can lead to feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction and it can negatively impact your self-esteem which can lead to social isolation, depression and negative body image.
Reduced Productivity
Poor sleep will make you groggy, impair your cognitive function and reduce your concentration. This would lead lower productivity and make it difficult to accomplish tasks. Over a period of time, it can increase levels of anxiety and stress, disrupt sleep and lead to daytime exhaustion. If you can break this cycle, it can lead to healthy habits and you will be able to sleep properly and lead to overall well-being of the person.
Addiction to Social Media
Social media can lead to addiction as there is an endless scroll feature with apps which makes it difficult for a person to stop. The compulsive use of social media tends to interfere with the sleep habit and leads to sleep procrastination. Over a period of time it leads to chronic sleep deprivation which tends to affect their memory and overall health.
So use social media sensibly if you want to lead a happy and healthy life.
