Social Media and Health

These days it’s easy to disconnect from tried and true face- to-face connections for social groups connections that let you define yourself in a carefully curated reality.  The age of social media has given us the ultimate control center.  On the other hand social media can be a life savor for people with limited mobility and provide a community where they may otherwise have none.  Human connection is vital to our well-being and having a healthy social life is one of the most important aspects of health.  Is your social life in bloom or in doom?  Read on to find out.

If you do not have limited mobility and find your only social outlets are social media and work you may be at risk of losing your social skills. Here’s why.

1. increased narcissism

2. superficial relationships

3. increased stress – particularly if the platforms are used with high frequency and for excessive amounts of time

4. the ability to compare yourself to others (worldwide)

 The art of human connection may have changed but is not lost, and is still one of most basic and important comments to health.  There are health benefits to staying connected regardless of how you do it. Here are a few examples:

1. belonging and identity

2. marginalized voices have a platform

3. young and old can connect with others across the globe and relate to ethnic, gender, geographic, and social-cultural difference

4. the ability to be part of a community and connect with others when in person is not an option

5. preventing dementia