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Passive Scrolling On Social Media Linked To Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
Recent research published by the “Behavior &Information Technology” says that passive scrolling on social media is linked to anxiety, stress, and depression.
Are you also someone who endlessly scrolls on social media without even connecting through the content you watch?
Well, I get that, there are some bloomy days wherein we just don’t want to connect with anyone, watch reels or posts endlessly or I can say mindlessly. But, is that the right thing to do?
Research says passive scrolling on social media can be linked to higher risks of developing anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health issues!
In this segment, let us find out what the news is all about and how to stop passive scrolling on social media. So, let’s get started!
Taking a Brief Look at the Study
Recently The Journal of Behavior and Information Technology published a study wherein the researchers surveyed 288 people between the ages 18 to 34 to gauge the relationship between social media, psychological distress, and feelings of loneliness. This study conducted a deep evaluation of three types of social media users in the ages.
The three types of social media users included passive scrollers on social media (people who exclusively scroll on social media without any engagement), active non-social media users (people who post their own content but don’t engage with the content of other users), and active social media users (people who post their own content and interact with other users to reach the maximum users).
The researchers found a link between increased passive social media users and elevated risk of depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The researchers mentioned that when someone curiously creates content and shares it while not engaging with other users can have a positive impact on overall well-being.
The research highlights that when someone creates content and shares it on social media, it allows them to receive likes, comments, feedback, and other reactions which can have a positive impact as it allows them to improve socially and distress their worries.
The study focuses on the fact that direct social interactions are not based on pressures and constant participation, engagement, and communication with other people can sometimes be good for mental health.
Meanwhile, people who passively use social media can be at risk of developing mental health issues as the lack of engagement, communication, and certain gaps can fuel up the anxiety within. In most cases, passive or endless scrolling can be mentally exhausting.
According to the researchers, passive media scrollers do not allow them to seek opportunities for communication and engagement which can elevate the feelings of loneliness. If we focus on the advantages of using social media, social media can be a great platform to seek social support and promote connectedness but passive scrollers close the doors for all opportunities or advantages.
Such feelings can make them feel excluded or isolated. And consecutively, such feelings can result in increased levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and other common mental health issues.
How to Stop Passive Scrolling on Social Media?
Acknowledge your feelings and remove triggers
If you passively scroll on social media to avoid feelings like FOMO or something else, you must take a step back and acknowledge your feelings. Removing those triggers completely can help you promote mindfulness and positivity within.
Keep track of your scrolling time length
In order to overcome your mindless scrolling behavior, you work on regaining control of yourself. You can begin by indulging in some hobbies or productivity activities that can make you feel mindful. Additionally, you can take the help of applications that help you curb the timings of social media usage.
Try to positively engage
According to the studies, the more endlessly we’ll scroll, the more unhappy we’ll be. Therefore, bring some positive changes within yourself and try to positively engage with people on social media. To begin with, you can start reacting to posts you like funny or relatable. Finding ways to address stress through an online rehab program can also contribute to a healthier mindset.
Remove useless information and troublesome accounts
Social media comes with a lot of advantages too! You can start engaging in the content that fascinates you. For example, if you’re driven away by some scientific facts or aeronautics, you can follow those pages and grab some helpful information. Remove useless information and make your feel look more relatable so that you can actively engage with the content people post.
Keep mobile aside and look outside of your room
It’s high time to bring some positive changes into your lifestyle, if you’re a regular passive scroller on social media, keep your phone aside for the time being, and look around your corners. You can try planting new trees go out for a walk, or do anything that keeps you busy. In order to decrease the impacts of mindless scrolling, try taking part in some mindful self-care activities.
Observe your surroundings
One of the best ways to avoid passive scrolling on social media is to observe your surroundings. For example, keep your phone aside and look around! You can think of changing your interior, add more details, or de-clutter your stuff. You can have a small mindful conversation with your family member or just simply play with your pet. The idea is to activate your body and mind again through these small activities.
Make a list of things that are important to you
If you’re not in the mood to do something, just simply take a pen and notebook and list down the things that you might want to achieve in the future, break down your long-term goals into short-term goals, or you can list out things that need to be done by this weekend or month-end. Avoid sitting idly and looking at your phone mindlessly, instead take some inspiration from your childhood days and rejuvenate yourself.
Add limits to your phone or social media
Mindless passive scrollers tend to spend hours on social media without noticing the time. Therefore, you can add limits to your screen time on social media and use your phone as required.
A Word from the AuthorTo build a better experience with social media, here’s what you can do:
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I hope this blog helps you understand how passive scrolling on social media can be linked to anxiety, stress, and depression. Comment down and share your views on passive social media use.
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Thanks for reading!