Setting a timer can help prevent people from getting lost on the internet. Other experts say the best long-term plan is for people to determine the amount of social media time that brings them joy and to stick to that amount. Other research identified the addictive nature of social media and the urge to check phones for messages as risk factors for anxiety, depression and psychological stress.Īdditionally, a 2018 study found that limiting social media use to about 30 minutes per day reduced feelings of depression and loneliness in college students after three weeks.įor people who find it difficult to separate themselves from their phones, Holman suggested finding other activities that make them feel good, like listening to their favorite music. One study found that people who put their phones away at night sleep better because they are not waking up throughout the night to check their phones.Īnother study found that reducing social media use diminishes stress. Other research also has found that a social media break can be a healthy decision. But if you are spending hours each week scrolling and you feel it is negatively impacting you, it could be worth cutting down on your usage to see if it helps." "Of course, social media is a part of life and for many people, it's an indispensable part of who they are and how they interact with others. This suggests that even just a small break can have an impact," said lead researcher Jeff Lambert, of the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
"Many of our participants reported positive effects from being off social media with improved mood and less anxiety overall. During the study, those who were selected to refrain from social media averaged about 21 minutes of screen time. The study involved 154 people, ages 18-72, who averaged eight hours per week of social media use prior to the study. People may need to rethink their social media use if they are getting easily annoyed by people's posts or comments, checking notifications even when in the company of others or during an activity, getting into arguments on social media, or missing deadlines because they are distracted by their phones.Ī study published in May found that a one-week break can significantly improve anxiety, depression and overall well-being. Mental health experts advise people to regularly evaluate how social media is making them feel. Alison Holman, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Healthline. "If you are feeling tension, pain, or having trouble taking a deep breath, turn it off," E. The good news is that even a short break from social media can make people feel better. But many studies have found that excessive use heightens the risk for loneliness, depression and anxiety. When used in moderation, social media apps can increase a person's sense of wellbeing by providing connection and entertainment. Novavax missed its global moonshot but is angling to win over mRNA defectors?.Is intermittent fasting the diet for you? Here's what the science says.Chronic stress can often lead to burnout, but there are effective ways to manage it.Americans spent an average of 82 minutes per day on social media in 2020, a seven-minute jump from 2019, according to Vox. There can be many benefits to the connections formed through social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but mental health experts warn that there are some potential drawbacks as well.ĭuring the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have turned to social media as a way to stay connected to the world around them.
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