Good Lifestyle

Like Covid-19 began to wreak havoc around the world, most of our energy has focused on material damage caused by highly infectious and potentially fatal virus. However, we can neglect another fatal aspect of the pandemic: mental health. Although only a small part of the country has been infected by Coronavirus, each of us is subject to stress, depression and anxiety that can manifest itself as a result of social distancing and a simple life and breathing. during a pandemic. And,According to new research, a popular activity can considerably aggravate these Mental Health misfortunes related to COVID: social media consumption.

Social media increases "fear and anxiety"

An article published this week inJama PsychiatryTakes a deep dive in the impact on the mental health of the Pandemic of Covid-19, providing suggestions on how they can be minimized. The researchers emphasize that, following a social distance, people spend more time on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and other socially interactive applications and websites.

"This widespread use of social media and the wide range of information can exacerbate confusion and concern and, in turn, increase the fear and anxiety and the creation of web and media more focused on the Fear, "they wrote in the study, published in June 24. Even" Indirect exhibition "to new constants and social media can have a wide range of psychopathological consequences, being the most common stress disorders. "The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders, including nightmares, hyperarouse, sleep difficulties, detachment and numbness, are particularly disabling and require clinical attention," they write.

They also cite a 2020to studyRealized in China only in the pandemic, which has found high depression rates (48.3%), an anxiety (22.6%) and a combination of depression and anxiety (19.4%) in 4872 Adults. Study authors found that people with "high social media exhibition" were almost twice as likely to have a depression and anxiety as people with less exhibition to social media. "Social isolation and increased social media consumption will likely lead to significant global elevation of mental health problems," explain the authors.

Social media can be help, also

Although social media can be psychologically prejudicial, paper authors point out that this can also be used to help mental health.

"In summary, mass quarantine and social isolation leads to increased use of social media and other information-based websites, which in turn increases fear, stress and risk of related disorders to fear, "they wrote. "In times of rapid spreading infectious diseases and mass exposure to trauma, online platforms can be used to guide efficient consumption of information, facilitate social support, continue to deliver the provision of care. Mental health and develop and test innovative interventions based on personalized and innovative contacts that, if found effective, can be broadcast to meet emerging mental health needs. "

How to operate social media for you

Initially, social media can be used to improve social support and connectivity."Encourage frequent contacts with parents, friends and caregivers, cats based on video or social media can improve social support and, in turn, facilitate resilience, "they indicate.

Second, they recommend mental health treatments to lead on online platforms during periods of quarantine and social isolation. "Online platforms can be used to assess and diagnose patients, customize treatments and monitor their progress. Strategies aimed at giving access to computers and the Internet between socio-economic strata are essential," they write.

Thirdly, they recommend that major social media platforms - including Facebook, Twitter, Google, WhatsApp and YouTube - "attack the diffusion of anxiety - causing the dissemination of information" and direct users to credible websites, including CDC and WHO.

And obviously, the last but not least, limiting exposure to digital media is the key. "Graphic imaging and disturbing messages increase stress and anxiety, raising the risk of long-term long-term disturbances", they write. "Although remaining informed is essential, it is necessary to minimize exposure to media outlets." And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss theseThings you should never do during the pandemic coronavirus.