Indeed, humans are social creatures who need the fellowship of others to thrive in life. Our happiness and overall mental health are dependent on the strength of social connections. Connecting socially with others eases anxiety, stress, and depression while boosting self-worth, preventing loneliness, providing comfort & joy, and even adding more years at the same time.

On the contrary, your emotional and mental health is at stake if you lack strong social connections. With the advent of the internet, the globe has become a small village. To connect with each other, most people rely on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. Although it has its own advantages, we cannot replace a real-world human connection with social media. Our hormonal levels are triggered by in-person contact, which ultimately alleviates anxiety and makes us feel healthier, happier, and more positive.

However, it's ironic that technology came into existence to bring people closer and make you feel stressed if used for long periods. It may lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, posing a real threat to our sustenance. Thus, make sure you boost your mental health by exercising regularly.

Here is what you need to know if you are using social media for an excessive amount of time:

1. Addiction:

A study conducted by Daria J Kuss from International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Division, UK, claims that prolonged use of social media is correlated with a decrease in academic achievement and real-life social participation and relationship problems, each of which has its own consequences. Therefore, remember that social media addiction is a real issue.

Addiction occurs primarily with the positive reinforcement that you receive from it. It kind of serves as an escape by distracting you from daily boredom activities. You start feeling important after receiving likes and other compliments from social media friends.

2. Insecurity:

You start seeing a lot of content on social media pages after joining with them. A constant barrage of flawless selfies, job promotions, engagement announcements, and baby arrivals appears on your Facebook newsfeed. It constantly reminds you of what's not in your life. So, you start feeling inadequate and insecure, which is not a surprise at all.

People share only the most flattering photos and other positive aspects on social media, and you start comparing. You feel insecure after seeing people attending their parties and other exciting life events. Thus, it negatively affects your self-esteem after you start comparing your life with the unrealistic pseudo world on social media sites. So, start acting hard on yourself and realize that what others share is only a part of their lives.

3. Cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying is becoming a hot news topic in recent times, and for a reason. As an adolescent, it may prove challenging to pass through the critical nature of social media sites. People from all age groups can be bullied; however, teenage is certainly not a good time for it.

Bullies can hide behind their screens with fake IDs and allow them to bully others. Their words are completely detached from the impact it has on the victims. At the same time, avoid is allowed between the actions and consequences. Remember, whatever is happening on the internet has very real consequences on different individuals.

4. Distraction:

Imagine yourself reading an important academic chapter or making an office presentation. Does your mind incline more towards social media than work? This is how social media decreases our productivity. On social media sites, you waste a lot of time looking at other people's life.

People look more interesting on Facebook as their lives resemble soap operas. This means you are distracted from real life. Imagine what can be done with time wasted on social media sites. Try not to get distracted and work for your goals with full dedication and consistency.

5. Anxiety:

Although, you can communicate with others through social media sites in one go. But does it have the same property as a real man-to-man interaction, a vital human need? With a hidden face behind the screen, you can be anxious for social interactions. Not only this, while confronting a face-to-face interaction, the situation will only worsen.

Remember, communication behind the computer screens differs significantly from a real human interaction, which may prove scary. Not only does social media increase our communication anxiety, but it increases the fear of being alone. You constantly feel being connected to your friends and family; however, the communication may never happen, increasing loneliness. Don't forget to avoid this pseudo-social media connection and connect with family and friends whenever possible.

6. Self-absorption

Another way social media may distance you from the real world is self-absorption. You must be sharing your innermost thoughts on Facebook and selfies with other people. However, this creates unhealthy self-centeredness distancing you from real life. Thus, don't let social media sites overpower you.

Conclusion

Remember, most of the things happening on the internet have very real consequences. Although it helps communicate in one go, along with some negative consequences. Try to lower the time you spend on these social media sites.

Limit your social media usage to benefit from it. Moreover, try limiting the number of minutes or times you login. Maybe a social media break for a while would help. Try any of these things to add meaning to you and your life.