The Surprising Ways Social Media Influences Our Health

When we think of social media, there’s a good chance that plenty of things come to mind. Seeing our high school friends get engaged. Learning someone has had a baby. Discovering a new trend that’s taking the internet by storm. Although it’s a great way to keep up with our loved ones’ lives, there are also plenty of negative things associated with social media.

The surprising ways social media influences our health go to show there are good and bad things about spending so much of our time online. From our mental health to our physical health and everything in between, it turns out social media has been influencing it all - often without us even realizing it.

Social media can be a safe place to discuss our health

A great part of social media is learning from other people what has and hasn’t worked for them, especially when it comes to new exercises or diets. It can also help many of us feel more open about asking for help online, with many knowing they don’t have to reveal their true identity to get answers about their health worries. As if that wasn’t enough, social media can help us feel like a part of a healthy community, with everyone offering support and ideas for those whenever they need it, all thanks to the wonders of the internet.

Social media can be a negative space for health content

Research has shown that social media can be a breeding ground for harmful health content, especially when it comes to the people we listen to online. While it’s not always the case, some people tend to focus on the negative aspects of a certain health condition or weight loss instead of the positive ways they have learned to incorporate it into their lives. This can sometimes be enough to reflect on our own lives, with many taking their views on as their own.

Social media can inspire us to be healthy

One of the best things about social media is that it can actually inspire us to be healthy. After all, if you see everyone else is heading to the gym and turning their lives around, it might not be long before we start experiencing some real FOMO. Even all those delicious salads and smoothies can see many of us start browsing for recipes online. Being surrounded by people also going through the same thing and trying to achieve their own goals can be all some of us need to start our journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

Social media can set unrealistic expectations for our health

Just because those Buddha bowls and exercise regimes look great on social media doesn’t mean that all of us will be able to achieve the same health goals. The problem? Having a social media feed filled with one-size doesn’t fit all inspiration can set unrealistic expectations. Someone else eats nothing but this salad all day and does this workout regime; why don’t we look the same? To make matters worse, we could accidentally be fuelling the idea of unhealthy eating habits and exercise programs without realizing it.

Social media can recommend healthy products

At-home workouts, recipes, and all the latest health trends can now be found in one place: social media. It’s great for people who need to save some pennies or those who want to join an ever-growing community of people who are all trying to achieve the same thing. Whatever the case, there are so many ways that social media can help us find the things we need to be healthy. From a tried-and-tested recipe to how an exercise turned someone’s life around and everything in between, there’s often no better place for live commentary on what’s going on in the health world than on social media.

Social media can be a place for false experts and products

Just because someone is offering up health advice online doesn’t necessarily mean they are an expert. In a world filled with health influencers, how are we meant to know who knows what they’re talking about and who merely looks like they do? One of the biggest downsides to social media is how anyone can spread misinformation at the drop of a hat, with many falling for advice that could actually be putting their health at risk. It’s always best to get a group consensus and find out someone’s background before hanging off every word they say.

When it comes to the surprising ways social media influences our health, it seems they might not all be negative. Still, although there are plenty of ways that these sites can help us reach our goals, there are also times that they can be the very things dragging us down. Oftentimes, it’s all about learning how to keep things balanced.