Watching Shorts on Social Media: Increasing Mental Stress Instead of Reducing Boredom

Watching Shorts on Social Media: Increasing Mental Stress Instead of Reducing Boredom

In today's fast-paced world, social media has become a go-to place for entertainment. One of the popular trends is watching "shorts" – those quick, 15 to 60-second videos that grab your attention instantly. Many people turn to these shorts to pass the time and reduce boredom. However, what we may not realize is that this habit might be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to our mental health.

How Shorts Hook You In:

Short videos are designed to be fast, fun, and engaging. The creators use catchy music, bright colors, and interesting content to keep you watching one video after another. The problem is that these videos are often addictive. Once you start, it’s hard to stop, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours scrolling through them. 

The Impact on Your Mind:

While watching shorts might seem like a harmless way to relax, they can actually increase your mental stress. Here's how:

1. Overstimulation: 

The constant stream of fast-paced videos can overstimulate your brain. The quick transitions, flashy effects, and rapid changes in content make it difficult for your mind to relax.

2. Disrupted Focus: 

Watching shorts can shorten your attention span. Your brain gets used to quick, bite-sized information and starts to find it hard to focus on longer tasks or conversations.

3. Comparison and FOMO: 

Many shorts show people living their best lives, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or the fear of missing out (FOMO). This can increase anxiety and lower your self-esteem.

4. Sleep Problems: 

Watching shorts, especially before bedtime, can interfere with your sleep. The blue light from screens can disrupt your natural sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and leaving you feeling tired and stressed the next day.

Tips to Reduce Stress from Social Media:

If you find yourself spending too much time on social media and feeling stressed, here are some tips to help you manage:

1. Set Time Limits: 

Use the timer on your phone to limit how long you spend watching shorts. Try to keep it under 30 minutes a day.

2. Take Breaks: 

Every time you watch a few videos, take a break. Stand up, stretch, or walk around to give your brain a chance to relax.

3. Unfollow Stressful Accounts: 

If certain accounts or types of content make you feel anxious or unhappy, unfollow them. Focus on content that makes you feel good.

4. Practice Mindfulness: 

Instead of mindlessly scrolling, practice mindfulness. Pay attention to how you feel while watching shorts and stop if you notice any negative emotions.

5. Replace with Other Activities:

 Instead of watching shorts, try other activities to reduce boredom, like reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing a hobby.

Conclusion :

Watching shorts on social media may seem like a fun way to kill time, but it can actually increase mental stress. By being mindful of how much time you spend on these platforms and following the tips above, you can protect your mental health and find healthier ways to deal with boredom. Remember, it's important to take care of your mind just as much as your body.

Reference:

Tem, D., & Research Team. (2024).The Psychological Impact of Consuming Short-Form Content on Social Media: An Exploratory Study. University of Toronto. [Hypothetical Reference]

 

Disclaimer:

The research mentioned in this blog post is presented for illustrative purposes only. The study by Dr. Tem and the research team at the University of Toronto is a fictional example used to highlight potential issues related to social media consumption. For accurate and scientifically validated information, please refer to peer-reviewed journals and official research publications.