Social networks are now a part of our lives but what if Facebook would be a source of considerable stress? Researchers looked into that problem and concluded that it would be better for our health to quit Facebook to reduce stress.
Scientists from Australia have investigated the effects of Facebook on mental health and wellbeing.
The scientists examined 138 active Facebook users
The subjects were split into two equal groups. The first group’s members were asked to quit Facebook for one week, while the members of the other group were asked to maintain their regular Facebook activity. Also as a part of the experiment, the scientists surveyed the subjects regarding their mood, relationships, and their level of satisfaction with their own lives.
After one week, the researchers took blood samples to measure the subjects’ blood concentration of cortisol (the stress hormone).
Those who had to quit Facebook presented reduced levels of cortisol and an improved overall wellbeing in comparison to the group of subjects who were asked to maintain their regular level of activity on Facebook.
Those who quitted Facebook were eager to return to their old habits
The scientist argues that quitting social media activity, at least for a short period of time, can improve the mental health and reduce the level of stress.
On the other hand, although the participants have been announced about the results of the study, many participants were eager to get back to their older habits and some of them were really excited about getting back on Facebook like there were feeling that they missed something important.
The lead author of the study, Eric Vanman, explained that quitting Facebook for too long can even have a stress-increasing role. For example, quitting Facebook for only a few days may reduce stress, indeed, but the more you feel like you’re missing something, the more cortisol your body secretes, according to Dr. Vanman.
The researchers agreed that people should quit Facebook to reduce stress but only a few days breaks are recommendable. Besides, the scientists also admitted that a larger study is needed.
