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A new report that shows our addiction to social media is growing, and it is having some serious consequences. Health and wellness expert Michelle Gielan joined us to talk about it.
Nearly all of us are addicted to social media, Gielan said, and many people have a physiological response to checking Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks. When we interact with others or get a quick response from a status update, dopamine, a feel good chemical in the body, drops into our system. Our body wants more, which fuels the addiction to checking our social media accounts, Gielan said.
In one study, one in five responders said they check if they wake up in the middle of the night, and one in three said they can’t start their day without it. In another study, University of Maryland students were asked to give up media for 24 hours and some started showing signs similar to drug addiction: withdrawal, craving and anxiety.
The biggest predictor of happiness and well-being is social support, Gielan said. Social media can be faux social support. People think they are getting connected with others, but it is not as powerful as actual face-to-face connection.
There are centers now popping up in Asia and the UK to deal professionally with this issue. Professional attention is ideal for the worst cases, Gielan said. For more mild ones, the individual can try setting time limits or only checking social media twice a day. During meals with friends, put your phone away and don’t leave it on the table, Gielan recommended.
Read more: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/17829837/is-social-media-addictive-michelle-gielan#ixzz33bHbfhc1
