The Downside of Social Media Dependency for Mental Health, According to Expert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Excessive use of social media is highly discouraged as many psychologists do not recommend its overuse if a person intends to maintain good mental health.

"Although social media offers many conveniences such as socializing easily with friends or relatives who are far away, in fact, we don't really socialize with other people," said psychologist Lathifah Utami, Antaranews reported.

Not only that, but the Tarumanagara University graduate also said the amount of negative content seen on social media can impact a person’s psychology. Issues of violence, crime, other people flexing, or constant news about disasters may cause anxiety.

“Which in the end may cause our psychological condition,” said Utami.

According to the psychologist who works at Experd Consultant, there needs to be moderation in using the internet before it turns into an addiction, which would later affect a person’s sleep pattern, emotions, and mindset. She suggests people slowly limit their dependency on social media by restricting the duration of use.

“We can do that by turning off our phones an hour before bedtime,” she explained.

She also suggested trying to interact with people around him again, such as simply greeting neighbors, talking to shop owners, meeting friends without the disruption from a cell phone, and talking with family members without holding a cell phone. 

The psychologist also suggests being selective in choosing information because being exposed to too much negative news can worsen a person’s mood. Balance it with positive information and follow accounts that contain motivation or life inspiration that can spread positive energy, she said. 

What to avoid for the sake of mental health

In addition to limiting the use of social media, Utami explained other things that must be avoided in order to maintain mental health, namely negative thoughts, irregular sleep patterns, and lack of physical activity.

According to Utami, negative thoughts can provide an alarm for the body to be alert and wary. If this happens continuously, indirectly people will feel tired and find it difficult to think clearly.

"Seeing a problem positively can help a person to focus on the good things and their potential so that it supports them to think about solutions," she said.

A healthy lifestyle such as a regular sleep pattern is also crucial in maintaining good mental health. According to Lathifah Utami, getting enough rest helps clear a person’s mind. On the other hand, irregular sleep patterns, especially lack of sleep, cause anxiety, anger, and difficulty in focusing. 

"Therefore, we should maintain the quality of our sleep and rest in order to function optimally," she said.

Maintaining an active lifestyle is equally important for mental health. Regular exercise should be a part of everyday life as it increases endorphins that spark feelings of happiness. "Spending too much time lying down or inactivity, [is the seed to laziness]," she said.

ANTARA

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