‘Do Not Disturb’ your mental health

BY ANNABETH JOHNSON

Multimedia Journalist

Getting off of social media has greatly benefitted my mental health and opened my perspective of life in ways I could have been experiencing a long time ago.

Although social media platforms are common forms of communication nowadays, there are many negative effects to using these platforms.

Here are some ways that excessive usage of social media can damage your mental health.

Unrealistic expectations/self comparison

While viewing other users’ profiles, low self-esteem can occur if the viewer begins to compare themselves to the people they are seeing online. This is especially common in women and can start from an early age if they are exposed to social media.

From early on, they can become conditioned in their thought process to look or act a certain way because that is how the influencers or celebrities portray themselves online. This comparison can happen over not only physical appearances but lifestyles as well. These instances can lead to feelings of not being enough. They can also cause dissatisfaction in your own life from being envious of someone else’s.

Unhealthy sleep schedule

Many of us are guilty of not putting our phones down before we go to sleep for the night. Instead, most people lie awake, scrolling for hours, losing valuable sleep needed for a healthy body and mind.

A cell phone screen emits blue light that can contribute to insomnia and interfere with the brain’s function before falling asleep. Losing sleep or not getting the best quality of sleep will affect the body’s regular functions and daily activities.

Addiction

Social media can be linked to feelings of anxiety and depression due to the platforms’ design, which triggers dopamine releases. With the features of liking, commenting or reacting to posts, these feelings are tied to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure or reward.

With social media being designed to trigger these responses, addiction can begin forming that can have lasting, damaging effects on the user.

Distraction from daily activities

Social media usage can be an outlet for procrastination from healthy daily activities or important tasks. Instead of completing schoolwork, items for your job or chores around the house, one might find themselves scrolling for hours, wasting their time on information that may never be beneficial to their mind. This procrastination from the distraction of social media can create mental stress and cause setbacks in important activities or deadlines.

Isolated form of communication

There are so many new technological advancements happening all the time, all around us. Due to these advancements, social media has merged into one of the top forms of daily communication for many around the world. Although this can be positive for individuals who may be more introverted in their social behavior, social media cannot replace face-to-face interaction.

Excessive usage can cause isolation from real-life conversations and interactions, creating feelings of loneliness or depression.

I began to notice these damaging effects on my health and implemented the removal and cutback of social media usage, which has changed my life.

I realized I had drifted away from my priorities due to the constant distraction of social media. I permanently deleted Snapchat in December 2024, and I now only get on Instagram to post biblical encouragements once every week.

The freedom that comes from not having to keep everyone updated about my life all of the time and the pressure of pleasing people was lifted off of my shoulders. I saw a great improvement in my classwork and relationships with my family and close friends rather than strangers I would interact with daily but never truly know.

Most importantly, I have grown in my faith with God and have grown within myself.

The removal of social media has given me a new perspective that focuses on remaining consistent in my ambitions and making time for real-life connections.

For some, social media is their only means of communication, but if it’s not for you, I implore and challenge you to reconsider its use.

For the improvement of your health and your peace, I challenge you to take a break from social media, whether it be a week or forever, and see how much your life will change for the better.