For many, it’s hard to remember a time without social media. From updating your Facebook status to watching YouTube videos, social media is firmly integrated in most of our lives. Use of social media has many positives like allowing you connect to loved ones far away and improving the speed at which information is shared. However, when social media use turns into an addiction, it can have serious consequences for your wellbeing. Read on to learn about the impact of social media on mental health.

Social media can:

• Increase feelings of isolation. When you overuse social media rather than connecting with life in the moment, you might find yourself spending less time with people you care about. If you can’t make it through a social event without checking your phone, it might be time to reconsider your social media use.

• Improve social connection. With a few clicks on your phone or computer, you can stay in contact with family and friends around the world and network with others with similar interests.

• Cause exhaustion and trouble sleeping. Sometimes only “five more minutes” of browsing media channels turns into an hour. Social media use before bed disrupts the brain by not letting you properly relax. Learn more about healthy sleep habits by visiting the Sleep Fitness Toolkit.

• Serve as an outlet for creativity. Editing photos on Instagram, creating Pinterest collages or posting on a blog are all examples of how social media can boost artistic expression.

• Lead to difficulty concentrating. Have you ever scrolled through social media during work or school? When you are dependent on social media, this can lead to procrastination, poor work performance and difficulty focusing.

• Help you discover valuable resources about the world. The internet offers a plethora of resources that help you learn about nearly any topic. Facebook, Reddit, Twitter and more all provide easy access to news, interesting podcasts and articles that help you stay informed.

• Exacerbate mental health concerns. From cyberbullying to feelings of inadequacy when you look at others’ ‘picture perfect’ lives, social media can increase your risk for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Using social media excessively can also mask underlying issues in your life by distracting you from unpleasant feelings rather than addressing them.

Many people don’t realize that they don’t need social media in their life. Try signing out of your accounts for a few days. Regroup, refresh and come back feeling better than ever!