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Constant Social Media Scrolling & Digital Overstimulation
Endless doom-scrolling, comparing lives, chasing likes, and absorbing news or trends every minute puts the brain on high alert. Mental impact is that it fuels anxiety and inadequacy, decreases attention span and patience, increases loneliness despite being “connected”, and causes dopamine burnout, where nothing feels rewarding anymore. Feeling drained after being online, compulsive checking, irritability, or mood dips after scrolling.
Poor Sleep Hygiene (Inconsistent or Insufficient Sleep)
Late nights due to screen time, binge-watching, or work/study pressures reduce sleep quality. Blue light from screens also suppresses melatonin production. Mental impact is heightens emotional reactivity (more mood swings), weakens memory and decision-making, increases risk of depression and anxiety and lowers resilience to everyday stress. It makes difficulty concentrating, waking up tired, staying up despite exhaustion.
Skipping Meals or Eating Nutritionally Empty Food
Fast lifestyles lead to skipping meals, especially breakfast, or relying heavily on processed, sugary, or fried foods. Mental impact is that blood sugar spikes/crashes = mood swings, brain fog, deficiency in key nutrients (Omega-3, B12, magnesium) = fatigue, low mood, gut-brain axis gets disrupted (gut inflammation = poor mood and stress response). Watch for cravings, irritability (“hangry”), tiredness after meals, digestive issues.
Sedentary Lifestyle & Lack of Sunlight
Spending most of the day indoors, sitting for long periods, and minimal physical movement. Mental impact is that it reduces the production of endorphins and serotonin, worsens anxiety, stress, and lethargy, vitamin D deficiency (from lack of sunlight) is linked to depression. Watch for lack of motivation, feeling heavy or dull, and sleep disturbances.
Suppressing Emotions or Not Talking About Feelings
Bottling up emotions due to stigma, lack of safe spaces, or fear of judgment. Mental impact is that it builds internal pressure, leading to emotional breakdowns, causes chronic stress and overthinking, can develop into depression, anxiety, or even somatic symptoms (like headaches, fatigue). Watch for emotional numbness, isolating oneself, and sudden emotional outbursts.
Toxic Productivity & Unrealistic Self-Expectations
The hustle culture glorifies being “busy,” pushing young people to overwork without rest or boundaries. Mental impact is chronic burnout and anxiety, identity becomes tied to productivity = low self-worth when not achieving, increases risk of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. This cause guilt when relaxing, comparing productivity with others, ignoring exhaustion.
Lack of Real-Life Connection or Meaningful Relationships
Surface-level interactions (likes, DMs) replace deep connections. Isolation from family or real friendships is common. Mental impact is loneliness disguised as independence, higher rates of depression and emotional distress, lack of emotional support in tough times. Watch for feeling unseen or misunderstood, being surrounded by people, but still feeling alone.
DISCLAIMER:- This Photo gallery is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.
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