Millennial depression: why it occurs and how to deal with it

Have you ever noticed that you frequently browse your Facebook feed, or get thrilled when you hear the notification sound? Blame the brain, or rather the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for social media obsession. Now that the Internet is always available, you can instantly get a "dopamine dose" - hence the addiction to social media.

What does depression have to do with it? Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found the relationship to be the most direct. According to them, young people who spend a lot of time on social networks are 2, 7 times more prone to depression than inactive users.

The reason is that when you constantly feed your brain with idealized images of others, you start to feel less happy, attractive, and successful than they are.

But the good news is that the vicious circle can be broken. There are at least five ways to stop scrolling and start living.

1. Track how much time you spend on social media

Social media tends to mean mindless activities that are addictive. So take one day to estimate how much time you spend on Facebook, VKontakte, Instagram and other networks.

If you can hang there for an hour, put a countdown timer on your phone and don't allow yourself to spend more than 15 minutes at a time on this unproductive activity.

2. Stop spying on harmful accounts

The people and pages you follow have a strong impact on your emotional state. If some posts cause dislike or envy, you just need to unsubscribe from their authors. You should also complain to the administration of the resource for dangerous and offensive messages.

3. Say goodbye to apps

If you are scrolling through the feed while standing in line in the store, this is already a reason to delete the corresponding application. After all, all the same will be available on your computer. For apps like Instagram, you can at least turn off notifications to ease your addiction.

4. Use your free time wisely

Instead of hanging out on social media, take a moment to read the news, play games, or learn a new language. There are hundreds of apps that let you train your brain in a playful way.

Better yet, download a good self-help book or start listening to an interesting podcast. This way you become the best version of yourself without changing anything.

5. Take a break from social media regularly

A weekend without your favorite sites and apps? Sounds scary. But this way you will get rid of the loss of profit syndrome and start having fun in real life.

By following these tips, you'll soon realize that the best things in life don't happen on your smartphone screen. By freeing yourself from your attachment to social media, you will find the time and energy to fulfill your long-held dream. And this is much better than thousands of likes and reposts.