Using social media means keeping in touch with family and friends. You may know some of them while you met with others online. How you interact with them determines whether you will get depression or not.
Social media is open to everyone. And because of this, it means that anyone can join any social platform. Each individual selects the social media to join based on preferences, how many friends they know on the platform, and the ease of use.
If you have a concrete reason to join these platforms and you do not sway on the way, you will have a good time. Also, if you take the time to know why other people use social media and respect their choices, you may never be affected negatively in any way.
Here is How Social Media Can Lead You into Depression
Many users use Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter to share information about their lives. And the most common things that people post on these social media are about their success. If they buy a new house, they post, if they purchase a new car, they share even before getting the logbook officially.
Some people do not share the broken pieces in their lives. For example, if they have problems with money, they will not post. If they have been in college for six years and have not yet graduated, they will definitely not remember to post this kind of information.
If you do not understand that these individuals may be facing some downs in their lives, you may think that you are the only one that the gods have forgotten. You may be inclined to feel as though you are the only person facing money problems. Or you may be tempted to believe that you are the only who cannot afford to go on holiday like your social media friends. If you let yourself be consumed with such thoughts, you may get into depression for no reason.
How Can You Use Social Media and Avoid Depression?
Despite all the temptations to believe that you are the only one whose life is not going well, there is a way out. I am sharing some of the techniques that I use to stay clear of thoughts that I am the only one whose life is not going in a straight line.
- Interact with people personally
In addition to getting in touch with close friends on social media, take time to meet with them in person. Such interaction may help you to understand the difference in what they share on social media and what is happening in their lives. I am not saying that you should be happy that they are facing ups and downs. Sharing in person may also help you to relieve the stress that you have built up in your system.
- Don’t take everything on social media seriously.
Some people are sharing only half of the story on Facebook. Maybe that friend is on a trip because it was sponsored by his or her parents. Or the house that they bought is on hire purchase terms. Of course, be happy for your friends when you see them posting about the developments they are making. But don’t take it as an opportunity to lament about how your life is miserable.
- Make friends with only a few people online.
Some people have thousands of friends on social media. And they do not know most of them. If you are easily affected by what people post online, it is better to have only a few friends. These should be people you know and have met in person and your family members. Also, understand that how others use social media may be different from how you use. If you are the kind that does not post a lot, be comfortable and let others be. If you are in the group that shares a lot, also understand the friends that share less and keep in touch with them in person.
Should You Continue Using Social Media?
The technology is here to stay. In fact, more platforms are continuing to come up each day. Therefore, looking back may not be a permanent solution. If you already use it, continue doing so while you understand that there is a difference between online and real life.
If you leave all platforms, you may lack the opportunity to get updates about what is going on in the world.