Internet and mental health!
This is something that is coming into the limelight more; now, we are seeing influencers talk about how the constant backlash over the internet is getting more harmful for them than the actual good.
This is one of the reasons why we need to give ourselves at least a weekly internet detox to get rid of all these issues.
In this expert below we will be talking about elements that can help you to understand the different mental health issues which excessive usage of the internet can bring and how we can get rid of them.
The Internet, when it started, was quite an exciting prospect!
Everything is at our fingertips, no matter what information we are talking about.
Then came social media and shook the entire planet.
This is one of the phenomenal prodigies of the internet which connected the entire world!
Amidst so many good things, why are we finding mental health as one of the biggest issues when it comes to accessing the internet?
Keep reading, and you will understand the link between mental health and internet usage.
Plus, we will also be discussing a bit about something called internet addiction and how it has helped.
What Is Internet Addiction?
This is a contemporary addiction that stems from the compulsive and uncontrollable usage of the internet.
This is when someone is unable to stop staring at a screen, and if they could, they would scroll through the endless feeds, videos, and tweets 24/7.
On the top of my head, it is very dangerous for your eyes, and then it can cause secondary problems like migraine and sleep deprivation.
If you want to understand the recovery treatment, you can learn more here
The worst part about this addiction is-
We can never get rid of the internet completely!
They are definitely a big part of our lives, and we will just have to balance the effects.
However, this is not the case when someone is dealing with an addiction. In order to make someone get rid of an addiction, one has to give up technology and the internet completely for a considerable amount of time.
Internet addiction is not something that you can simply adjourn. It is a big issue, and people should raise more awareness about it.
For example, finding out the signs and symptoms of internet addiction.
Signs Of Internet Addiction
Here are some of the common signs of internet addiction. After this, we will discuss what they can do to your mental health.
Constantly On A Device: When someone is constantly scrolling through a device, you will be able to tell. Their face is either buried in their phone screen or their PC screen 24/7.
Do Not Accept Challenges: Give them the challenge to stay without their phone or stay without the internet connection for a day, and they will literally go nuts. There is no way that they will be able to do it.
They Become Hostile: When you try to take their phone away from them, they can become very hostile. They will either throw a fit or get borderline violent to get their phone back.
They Are Never Present: You can try and talk to them, but they will never be fully present in a conversation. With a device in their hand, most of their concentration is about what is happening in the virtual world.
How Can This Impact Your Mental Health
Here are some of the ways in which you could understand how being constantly online is impacting your mental health exponentially.
1. Insomnia
When you are constantly scrolling over the internet, whether it is social media or you are binging youtube videos, you will never be satisfied.
There won’t be a time when you think that that’s enough, and there is nothing more that you can look for!
This is a tell-tale sign that you are addicted, and this endless scrolling will go on throughout the night.
Endless scrolling, leading to endless sleepless nights, leading to insomnia!
You should understand the huge impact lack of sleep can have on your mental health. You will always be cranky and irritable.
2. Body Dysmorphia
You are scrolling through Instagram, and all you can think about is how someone else’s body looks so much better on you.
The Internet has captured your head in such a way that you are unable to see it is not real!
That every influencer in the world edits their photos!
This is a very crucial point that everyone needs to discuss and make people more aware that one shouldn’t get unrealistic expectations from the internet.
Their body is fine, just like a normal human body should look like!
3. Dissatisfaction From Your Own Life
Now that we have talked about body dysmorphia let us talk about the depression and anxiety which is caused by comparison.
Everyone polishes their life and makes them look like bright shining diamonds over social media.
However, someone obsessed with the internet and especially social media fails to understand this.
This comparison leads to several mental health issues!
4. Unfulfilling Cyber Relationships
The dangers of cyber relationships are coming into the limelight a lot recently.
Not to mention the dangers of being exploited wrongfully through catfishing and then dealing with that trauma.
A cyber relationship can never be fulfilling, and it can add to other mental health problems like attachment issues and abandonment issues.
5. Lack Of Productivity
When someone is already busy over the internet, they might compromise with other important work like academics and job.
When this happens, one should be sure that they are dealing with an addiction and are in need of help.
The lack of productivity can stop the secretion of good hormones, and you lose motivation!
Detox! Detox! Detox!
When you are talking about internet usage, we can understand it is impossible to stay away from the internet completely.
This is why you must have days where you make the conscious decision to stay away from the internet.
Your sleep pattern, along with mental health, will be much better then.