Social Media Trauma: Its Impact on Health Revealed

In contemporary society, social media platforms have become an integral aspect of human life. Communication has become much easier than ever through the use of apps such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. These platforms are so convenient for sharing pictures receiving updates on news and even communicating with friends and families. Even though social media has its perks, it can also expose us to a darker side, like social media trauma.

Social media trauma can have serious consequences for both our physical and emotional health. If you have ever been stressed, anxious, or depressed after browsing the Internet, you are not the only one. In this blog let’s understand what social media trauma is, how it manifests, and how it impacts both the mind and body.

What is Social Media Trauma?

Social media trauma means any form of harm that a person suffers emotionally, psychologically, or even physically as a result of a negative experience from social media platforms. This might appear in several forms, like:

• Cyberbullying:

It means being the subject of fun and experiencing bullying or offensive comments on a social networking site.

• Online Shaming:

Being targeted with threats, insults, or jokes on social media.

• Exposure to Graphic Content:

Watching or reading disturbing, violent, or aggressive content.

• Comparison and Social Pressure:

Seeing social media posts that make you compare yourself to others and feel like everyone else leads a perfect life.

• Overexposure to Negative News:

Constantly reading stressful information, this behavior is called “doom-scrolling.”

Such experiences may appear more emotional at that given moment, but they are bound to have impacts beyond the screen. In the long run, the stress from social media causes critical problems to your health – both mental and physical.

How Social Media Trauma Affects Mental Health

Increased Anxiety and Depression

The stuff that is posted regularly on social media platforms only shows the brighter side of life, not the unpleasant part of it. You might compare your real life to these posts. This can give you a feeling that you are not doing enough or that you are not productive enough. It can cause anxiety and depression. A study reveals that increased use of social media increases the likelihood of developing these mental health problems.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is a psychological state caused by social media. Seeing others go to the party, have a vacation, or achieve their goals can cause one to develop a fear that one is not living life to the fullest or not living a successful life. This feeling can evolve into chronic anxiety and dissatisfaction in one's own life.

Low Self-Esteem

Usually, social media keeps on making people compare themselves with others. Well-managed feeds, weight loss stories, and other people’s perfect lives put you under immense pressure to meet unrealistic standards that are detrimental to your self-esteem. In the long run, this can affect your confidence, body image, and mental health. In the worst case, it may lead to episodes of self-harm behaviors and eating disorders.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Since the internet has anonymity, bullies can attack other individuals without being punished. Cyberbullying and online harassment are typical examples of social media trauma since they are most prevalent among the youth. Cyberbullying affects victims by leading to post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, social anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout

Social media is full of constant negative feelings and emotions that often leave people feeling drained. Doom-scrolling or the continuous consumption of negative news can make you feel drained and hopeless. This in the long term, leads to burnout, which is a state of mental and physical tiredness produced by continuous stress.

Physical Impact of Social Media Trauma

Although people know that social media trauma affects mental health, few are aware of the impact it has on physical health. Here are some physical symptoms associated with chronic exposure to social media trauma:

Sleep Disorder

Social media use at night disrupts the sleep pattern. Blue light emitted from screens suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that is responsible for sleepiness. In addition, negative experiences on social media can cause emotional stress, which in turn results in insomnia and other sleeping-related issues. In the long run, lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, lead to weight gain, and increase your risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Chronic Stress and Heart Health

Social media trauma can produce the body’s stress response. This results in the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol in small amounts assists you in dealing with stress. However, everyday negative encounters on social media can result in chronic stress and may cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Muscle Tension and Headaches

Prolonged use of a phone or laptop can cause muscle tension, particularly around your neck, back, and shoulders. Besides, the stress and the emotional pressure originating from social media trauma can trigger tension headaches or migraines.

Sedentary Lifestyle

If you are addicted to your phone, then you can rarely be seen moving around or engaging in any form of exercise. This sedentary behavior leads to poor physical fitness, weight gain, and at times chronic diseases. Sitting for a prolonged time also causes poor posture and musculoskeletal disorders such as back aches.

Weakened Immune System

The chronic stress caused by social media trauma does not only have an impact on the mood but also the immune system. Over time, higher cortisol levels can weaken your immune system which can lead to a greater risk of being attacked by infections, colds, and other illnesses.

Coping with Social Media Trauma

The good news is that there are ways that you can protect yourself from social media trauma and minimize its impact on your mental and physical health. Here are some strategies to help you recover control:

Set Boundaries for Social Media Use

Social Media Users get easily hooked up to their social media accounts and may spend hours on end browsing through the numerous feeds however setting boundaries can help decrease its adverse impact. It is possible to set certain “screen-free” times; particularly before going to bed. It is important to step away from social media platforms so that your mind can recover from the emotional toll of continuous internet usage.

Curate Your Feed

It matters who you follow and what you see online. Control your social media by unfollowing or muting accounts that trigger negative emotions and cause you to feel unpleasant feelings. However, like or follow pages that motivate you, encourage you, or provide positive and useful content.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing can help you deal with the stress and anxiety of social media trauma. Mindfulness also has the effect of helping you sleep better, or even decreasing stress and making you feel better in general.

Seek Professional Help

If you feel overwhelmed by social media trauma, do not wait to seek help from a mental health professional. A therapist can help you establish ways through which you can cope with anxiety, depression, or PTSD arising from your online experiences.

Connect in Real Life

Social media interactions frequently provide us with a false sense of connection. On the other hand, it is recommended to spend more time with friends and family in person. Real-life interactions provide emotional support and make you realize that real-life bonding goes far beyond liking and commenting on someone’s post.

Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Mental and Physical Well-being

Social media trauma is increasingly becoming a prevalent issue in the current society, and it has negative impacts on both the mental health and physical health of individuals and should not be ignored. Since social media has become a staple in our lives, it is crucial to take measures to protect from the negative effects it can bring. By setting boundaries, curating your online experience, and seeking help when needed, you can break free yourself from social media trauma.

Keep in mind, that you are the only one who can control how you use social media. Prioritize your mental and physical health by taking mindful breaks, making real-world friends, and emphasizing positivity both online and offline.