Image Source: Unsplash

Facebook is everywhere. Not only do you likely use it every day, it’s mentioned in movies and on TV, on the news, in podcasts, and by the people you know. As possibly the most successful social media platform ever, Facebook has grown enormous and isn’t stopping anytime soon.

While Facebook may not be going anywhere, the way we use it and how it influences our lives are definitely under our control. Let’s explore the health-related pros and cons of Facebook, and how to use it in a way that supports instead of hinders our health.

Health Benefits of Facebook

One of the biggest benefits of Facebook is that it connects us to other people – people we know and love, or new communities we want to get involved in. This is hugely beneficial for your mental health – connection and support can improve your mood and outlook. Plus, staying connected with loved ones can be especially beneficial for the elderly. Facebook can bridge the gap if you don’t live close to your family members but want to stay involved in each other’s lives.

Facebook can also be used as a health resource. Follow health-focused brands or healthy lifestyle influencers to get their latest content and to engage in conversations. Research health topics you may be embarrassed to talk about out loud, like STDs or depression. Join Facebook groups on specific health topics and chat with people who have the same questions as you.

Health Drawbacks of Facebook

Since you and probably everyone you know is on Facebook, not to mention celebrities and influencers, it’s easy to compare yourself to others every time you log on. This can have negative health consequences both physically and mentally, though. Plus, if you feel drained or upset by social media, it can be difficult to get away from it if it’s a requirement of your job.

Comparing ourselves to others can result in anxiety and depression, and it can cause us to unhealthily focus on areas where we feel we’re lacking. If you have low self-esteem and spend a lot of time on Facebook, your symptoms (body image problems, insomnia, tense muscles, etc.) could worsen.

Using Facebook to Improve Your Health

Try to represent yourself authentically on Facebook, even if that seems different from what others are doing. For example, if everyone seems to be happy with their bodies but you’re struggling with your weight, see what happens when you’re honest about that. Presenting yourself in a truthful light could make you feel happier and more confident, and you may even tap into a community of supporters you didn’t know existed. At the very least, you’ll feel like you have control over your social media instead of being at the mercy of it.

Plus, the more you engage with health-related content and communities, the more Facebook ads will be geared toward you. Advertising gets a bad rap, but it can introduce you to a product or service you’ve never heard of before. Many ads today aren’t direct calls-to-buy – often, they’ll point you to more information where you can continue researching.

How to Have a Healthier Relationship with Facebook

There are a number of things you should and shouldn’t do if you want to have a healthier relationship with Facebook and a healthier life because of it. For starters, avoid the following:

• Wasting time by scrolling endlessly.
• Feeling like “likes” and positive comments are necessary validation.
• Reading or responding to comments that cause anxiety or guilt.
• Regularly visiting pages of people who make you feel bad for some reason.

Since a lot of these actions are habits, it can take time, effort and training to stop them. To start, keep track of how you spend your time on Facebook and how you feel afterward. After a week or two, look over your log and decide where you need to make changes. Maybe you have to limit your time on Facebook or remove specific people from your connections.

Remember: You Can Stop Using Facebook!

You do not have to use Facebook! If you’re concerned about your privacy and that concern is impacting your mental health, you can join the ranks of people who are deleting their Facebook profile. Or, if you have to have an account for some reason or that’s the only way you stay in touch with certain people, you don’t have to use Facebook to talk about personal things or even to share your opinion.

If you feel like you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, you may want to take a break from Facebook while you work on your self-esteem. In the Forbes article linked to above, it states that people with high self-esteem don’t suffer as much from social media comparison and competition. People with low self-esteem, though, may feel worse by being on Facebook.

In order to use Facebook in a healthy way, you have to be in control of it. Don’t let it control you. Manage how much time you spend on it and how you use it, and pay attention to how you feel about yourself afterward. If you’re able to use Facebook in a productive way, it can be a great social release and a place brimming with helpful resources.

Please follow and like us: