11 Ways That Social Media Addiction Is Ruining Your Life
Do you feel like you are spending too much time online? Here are 11 ways that social media addiction is ruining your life.
As social media becomes a part of our daily routine, it is important to continuously analyze how it affects different areas of our lives in order to maintain a healthy relationship with our devices.
Although social media networks like Instagram and TikTok provide outlets for connection, they can also pave the way for unhealthy habits and addictive behaviours, which can affect our mental health, body image, relationships and more.
In this post, we go over a few of the ways that social media addiction can affect your life so you can recognize the patterns and aim to build a healthier relationship with your favourite platforms.
THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT 11 WAYS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION IS RUINING YOUR LIFE.
1) You Have Heightened Anxiety And/Or Depression
One of the most common concerns of people who are struggling with social media addiction is an increase in anxiety and depression.
When we open social media, dopamine, the “feel good hormone,” floods our brain creating temporary feelings of happiness and stress relief. When this unnatural dopamine spike wears off, it can cause imbalances in the brain, often resulting in anxiety and/or depression.
Because our brains are hardwired to seek dopamine, this can lead to compulsive behaviours such as constantly checking our phones or mindlessly scrolling.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, can also be released in your body when you are exposed to negative news or something that triggers an emotional response. This can not only affect your mental state but your physical health as well.
2) You Feel Unsatisfied With Your Life
If you constantly compare your life to others on the internet and it’s causing you to feel like you need more money, a new relationship, a new job or material items, it may be time for a digital detox.
The comparison to others’ perfectly curated lives can significantly affect your mental health, finances, motivation and overall happiness.
It’s important to remember that social media is just a highlight of people’s lives as they often do not share their struggles or difficult moments.
Understanding that people’s online presence is not reality can help you shift your perspective and avoid the weight of unrealistic expectations.
3) Your Relationships Are Suffering
Picture someone you know who is constantly checking their phone when you’re together.
Maybe they mindlessly whip out their phone when they are in the middle of a conversation or are constantly distracted by notifications.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, chances are a social media addiction is the reason for the compulsive behaviour.
The issue with this habit is that it can come off as extremely rude to others, even if that is not your intent, which can lead to strained relationships and lower-quality conversations.
4) You Have A Poor Body Image
This reality makes me very sad for the next generation who are growing up in today’s society. Often, photos are photoshopped or airbrushed, creating impossibly high beauty standards.
Social media has excelled at pointing out and capitalizing on people’s insecurities. Selling you on the next product, workout or surgery that will make you more attractive or more likeable.
The truth is that many of these influencers are heavily editing their photos and videos, and if you see them in real life, look nothing like their online posts!
If you are struggling with a poor body image due to the “perfect” photos you see online, it may be time to do a social media detox.
Taking a break from social media and focusing on self-love can drastically help you to improve your confidence.
READ: 7 Insanely Good Wellness Tips for the Ultimate GLOW UP
5) You Turn To Social Media When Feeling Bored Or Stressed
Picking up your phone when you are bored or stressed is often a sign of social media addiction.
When you mindlessly reach for your device, it is due to the brain’s search for dopamine, the feel-good hormone, which rewards your brain and temporarily can distract you from stress and boredom.
Taking a social media break can help your brain balance your dopamine levels and help you manage stress and boredom more effectively.
6) You Excessively Shop
As we talked about before, social media and influencers are EXPERTS at capitalizing on your insecurities and desires.
The never-ending promotion of products and services on social media can cause excessive spending and have detrimental effects on your finances by buying things you do not need. I often fall victim to this as the trends are never-ending!
Recognizing this pattern can help you take control of your spending and stop buying things you don’t need.
7) You Can’t Do Simple Tasks Without Being Attached To A Device
If you find it challenging to do anything without watching a tv show, listening to a podcast or having something playing in the background chances are you have an addiction to your device.
Personally, there was a time when I was so addicted to constant stimulation that I would have to have something playing while even doing the simplest tasks such as brushing my teeth or folding laundry.
That’s when I knew it was time for a digital detox.
READ: 7 Life-Changing Self Care Ideas For Women
8) You Are Irritable
If you feel like you are easily irritated it could be in part due to your social media usage. The constant flow of information can be very overstimulating for the brain.
Pay attention to your mood – if you find yourself becoming more irritable with those around you when you spend excessive time on social media, it may be time for a break from your device.
9) You Isolate Yourself / Have Social Anxiety
The issue with social media addiction is that the more time you spend in the online world, the less in-person human interaction you have.
This can lead to social anxiety and can have a lasting effect on your mental health. If you feel this affects your life, it’s time for a digital detox and to have some in-person human interaction!
10) You Feel That There Is Not Enough Time In Your Day
Are you constantly feeling short on time and that there is not enough time in the day? Try checking your screen time on your phone; this may SHOCK you. You can gain so much time back by simply cutting your social media usage.
The average time people spend on social media per day is 2.5 hours. Did you know if you spend 2 hours on social media per day, that adds up to an ENTIRE MONTH in one year?! I know, it made me feel sick to my stomach too.
What can you do with an extra month?!
11) You Have Difficulty Focusing
Struggling to stay focused on tasks and having a very limited attention span can be in part due to a social media addiction, especially with short-form videos such as Instagram Reels And TikTok.
Short-form video scrolling reinforces the constant need for stimulation, often resulting in difficulty concentrating during mundane and low-stimulating activities.
How To Set Boundaries With Your Devices
- Limiting your time on social media. The iPhone has a setting that tracks your social media usage and will send you a notification once you hit your daily social media limit.
- Mute or unfollow people who make you feel insecure or bad about yourself.
- Before purchasing something you see on social media, sleep on it for a few nights and ask yourself if this product or service is necessary and is something you can afford.
- Leave your phone at home or in the car when spending quality time with friends and family.
- Regularly practice gratitude for what you already have.
- Try a digital detox by deleting the apps on your phone.
- Attend a Social Media Detox Retreat
