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10 Mar 2023, 17:06
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We all know that social media can be addictive, and it turns out that even cutting down slightly can be of benefit.
Many people are fearful of going cold turkey and no longer using social media, but it seems that moderation is key.
A new study has found that reducing your time scrolling by just 15 minutes a day could improve your health.
The study was published in the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science.
It challenged participants aged between 20 to 25 to reduce their social media usage by 15 minutes a day.
They were asked to do it for three months.
They were then compared to groups who didn't reduce their usage, and another group that was told to do something else during those 15 minutes.
The group who were asked to reduce their usage had fewer colds, warts, better sleep and were less depressed.
There was also an impressive 15% improvement in immune function.
Most shockingly was a 50% improvement in sleep quality, and 30% fewer depressive symptoms.
Those asked to reduce their time actually reduced it by 40 minutes.
Those who were asked not to reduce ended up increasing their time by 10 minutes.
The group that was specifically asked to do something other than social media also ended up going up the most.
They increased by around 25 minutes a day.
Researchers said this could indicate that we don’t like being to be told how to spend our own time.
Professor Phil Reed, from Swansea University’s School of Psychology, who carried out the research, said: ‘When people reduce their social media use, their lives can improve in many ways – including benefits for their physical health and psychological well-being.’
Would you give it a go?
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