Social media often feels like a double edged sword. While it can foster a sense of connection and quickens communication, it can also promote feelings of insecurity, isolation, and divisiveness. Most discussions over social media usage concern its effects on our mental health. Studies have found that quitting social media can reduce stress hormone production in the brain. Founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction David Greenfield explains that “if you’re using social media addictively, which some people are, you have elevated levels of dopamine, so when you stop doing that, there is some withdrawal.” Ultimately however, the long term benefits will outweigh the short term costs. The need to be constantly connected boosts the production of stress hormones, which can increase the risk of depression. Leaving social media decreases this risk while enabling feelings of focus and calm. Another benefit may be a boost in sleep and academic performance. A 2018 study from McLean Hospital discovered that social media engagement causes viewers to get fewer hours of sleep at night, affecting their performance in school. Read the full HealthDigest article here.