There are many benefits of social media, including the ability to stay connected to friends and family, and if you are business, promote and brand your product and services to the community.
Emerging research, however, is finding that social media can lead to unwanted stress
- Career Stress. Lack of privacy on social media should concern workers. Employee’s private life can show up and go viral. The leaders in business monitor these sites. One study shows 37% of hiring managers go to social media sites to check before hiring an employee.1/3 of these hiring managers do NOT approve of what they find.
- Relationship Stress. Another term is “lifestyle envy.” Social media are not foundations of building lasting and sustainable relationships. Studies found that social media users experience stress and envy when they view other people’s status and photos.
- Mood Swings. An interesting study shows social media influences our emotions and attribute to technology stress (isolation). Anger is another contagious side affect — over joy and happiness. Research continues to show the constant use of social media sites can lead to addiction. Too much social media can lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression and intense stress.
In order to combat the negative effects of social media, consider the following:
- Choice. Limit the number of social media sites you join. The more involved in these you become the more your life will evaporate, both personally and professionally.
- Set a limited amount of time. Monitor the amount of time you are spending on social media. When you go to Facebook or any site, set a timer on your smart phone. If you intend to spend 30 minutes on social media set your timer and leave when it goes off.
- Set boundaries. You must monitor your social media sites. You have no idea what may be posted on your site. Even by a friend, family member or coworker. There may be photos of you at a party, with friends, on vacation or anywhere that you do NOT want the world to see.
- Watch your kids. Monitor your children’s social media. Bullying, risqué photos, bad language and just the beginning of what happens on Facebook and other social media sites.
- Refine your circle. Filter out the relationships that are not important, and redefine the groups of people that you want to have access to your information..