Connection, Social Media & Health

Would you like to use this image? Click here to use it.

Connection is a crucial part of emotional health; everyone is aware of this, but with more ways to connect than ever, experts are now telling us to move towards deeper connection rather than the little dopamine rushes that you might get from someone you have a passing acquaintance with clicking “like” on your facebook vacay photos.

Not only is the emphasis on deeper connection important for emotional health, studies have also linked it with improved mental health and noted that a reduction in meaningful social connection can lead to more serious psychiatric problems.  There are also ongoing concerns about kids growing up with social lives centred around social media and the impact that it can have on their psychological well-being.

So what is the key to connection?  Perhaps putting down the devices and truly making an effort with the people who are there for you in life.  Follow up with some more ideas here.

Do you think social media is connecting us in a meaningful way?