In recognition of World Mental Health Day, celebrities are sharing their personal experiences and approaches to managing the digital environment, as well as the effects of social media on mental health in an interview with The Hindustan Times. Here are their insights!
The Chhichhore fame, Tahir Raj Bhasin emphasised that while social media can offer enriching content for personal growth, it also promotes unrealistic portrayals of life through curated highlight reels, which can harm mental well-being. He promotes mental health awareness and practices regular 'social media cleanses' to improve focus and overall happiness. An excerpt from his statement can be read as:
"On the flip side, there’s a constant barrage of highlight reels where everyone seems to be posting about the best moments in their life that are edited to look picture perfect. It’s a collective projected lie. Hence, your mental health is of utmost priority to not let it affect you."
Actress, Sanjana Sanghi noted that social media significantly influences mental health, reflecting on her experiences as a member of a generation that transitioned from a childhood without social media to encountering it in their teenage years. She emphasised the importance of taking breaks and prioritising well-being, sharing her personal guidelines, such as avoiding phone use for at least 45 minutes after waking and taking regular mental health breaks. A segment of her statement says:
"I often compare it with my own personal experience too and the one thing that stands out is that for a generation like mine, that spent childhood without it and were introduced to social media in our teens. In the long run, nothing is more important that prioritising our mental and physical health. "
The 1920 fame, Adah Sharma discussed the concept of doom scrolling, noting how hours can pass while watching random videos, leaving her feeling physically stiff and mentally unwell. However, she finds that watching animal videos can improve her mood. While she doesn’t have a specific strategy, she strives to avoid letting social media validation affect her feelings and emphasizes the importance of mental health for overall well-being. To maintain focus while on set, she keeps her phone away to minimise distractions.
Actor, Akshay Oberoi expressed that social media impacts his mental state, particularly when he sees a film he wanted being given to another actor, which he finds triggering. He tries to limit his use of Instagram to protect his mental health, emphasising its importance for actors who need to fully immerse themselves in their roles. Acknowledging the addictive nature of social media, he believes it's essential to resist its influence.
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Actor, Ayushman Khurana's wife, Tahira Kashyap stressed the need to prioritise mental health on social media. She recommends taking breaks from platforms when facing negativity and limits her Instagram use to 30 minutes daily to manage the pressure to post, noting that her mindset influences her social media experience. She explained:
"If you’re not in a space to handle trolls or negative feedback, it’s okay to log out and take as much time as you need to heal. Logging out won’t stop the trolling when you return, but it will give you the mental clarity to deal with it."
Actor, Shashank Arora highlighted that social media effectively raises awareness about social issues and connects people globally. However, he warned that excessive use can harm mental well-being and create a disconnect from reality. While he isn’t very active online, he acknowledges its value for storytellers and job creation. He recommends regular breaks from social media and prioritising outdoor activities to maintain mental health.
What are your views on the impact of social media on mental health? Let us know!
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