Hours on social media every day? How it could be impacting your mental health [Video]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Priority Health is joining FOX 17 Morning News to talk about some of the biggest issues Americans face.

Today’s topic: The impact of social media and technology on mental health.

According to Priority Health:

• The average American spends almost 2.5 hourson social media each day
• One studyshowed that one in three Americans worry about mental health impacts

Over-consumption can lead to:

• Increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts
• Cyberbullying and exposure to content that is not age appropriate
• Self-image issues and comparison
• Poor sleep quality

Tips for decreasing social media consumption:

• Track your time
• Turn off notifications from social media apps
• Temporarily (or permanently) downsize your social media use
• Take a temporary social media break
• Reach out to trusted friends to stay connected
• Unfriend or unfollow anyone who is toxic or exhibits bullying behavior

Find more information about Priority Health’s “myStrength” mental wellness tool here.

**If you …