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That's absurd. There is no scientific basis that would support your assertion. In fact, increased social media activity leads to a higher chance of suffering fr

That's absurd. There is no scientific basis that would support your assertion. In fact, increased social media activity leads to a higher chance of suffering from depressive episodes. Meditation has been shown to to actually combat symptoms of depression. If you can't sit still with your own thoughts for 60 seconds without spiraling, then you shouldn't even be remotely near social media.

klyrs 5y ago
> That's absurd. There is no scientific basis that would support your assertion. Why are you so confident in that? Have you done your research? I learned that from a licensed psychologist, and know several people who have had severely negative reactions to "mindfulness" training, but it only took 30 seconds to find these two links: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210202-how-mindfulness-can-blunt-your-feelings-and-spike-anxiety https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210202-how-mindfulnes... https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251840-mindfulness-and-meditation-can-worsen-depression-and-anxiety/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251840-mindfulness-and... > If you can't sit still with your own thoughts for 60 seconds without spiraling, then you shouldn't even be remotely near social media. Not exactly disagreeing with you here, but neither is meditation necessarily better. Therapy is probably the best thing, but social media is "free." And, note that I'm not in favor of social media, merely explaining the cost-benefit analysis that people in this hole use. Reasoning from your high horse will result in different cost-benefit analysis, which won't make any sense to the people whose lives you might like to improve.
- confidantlake 5y ago
  Is there any evidence that therapy is helpful? Haven't seen any evidence supporting it but I might not be searching correctly.
  - SamoyedFurFluff 5y ago
    Have you looked at Google scholar? Less than 5 minutes of “effectiveness therapy anxiety” gave me multiple pages of results going back decades.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- gnramires 5y ago
  I would be wary with different meditation practices. I don't think it's a one-size-fits all. Zen Buddhism and other traditions have very long history and experience with meditation. Now the West unfortunately sometimes imports ideas superficially, and meditation might be one of them. 'Mindfulness meditation' seems to have specific suggestions that probably haven't stood the test of time (or scientific evidence as mentioned). However, sitting a few minutes quietly (without worrying about specific technique) shouldn't do any harm, is probably good for you. Also very emphasized in those traditions is controlled breathing. It can be very helpful when stressed as well. If it makes you feel unwell, stop doing it! Also maybe consult with someone with experience.
devit 5y ago
Well, if you do "meditation" (or "do nothing") in a way that results in shutting down all thoughts except the depressive ones, then it's going to make things worse. In that case, you might be (temporarily) better off adding some very powerful and addictive thoughts or feelings to cover up the depressive ones; I think this might be in fact one of the main uses of social media and videogames.
- klyrs 5y ago
  Yep, even something mindless like candy crush is probably better than social media. But... what's actually missing for a lot of people is actual community. So many of us live in tiny bubbles in big cities, we crave human interaction... so the lure of social media is powerful. It's actually a miasma of drama (if my family is indication) that appears to shatter actual community, both on and offline, sending people further into their increasingly socially inept bubbles. I wish I had solutions to offer. It's a goddamn mess.

klyrs 5y ago

> That's absurd. There is no scientific basis that would support your assertion. Why are you so confident in that? Have you done your research? I learned that from a licensed psychologist, and know several people who have had severely negative reactions to "mindfulness" training, but it only took 30 seconds to find these two links: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210202-how-mindfulness-can-blunt-your-feelings-and-spike-anxiety https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210202-how-mindfulnes... https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251840-mindfulness-and-meditation-can-worsen-depression-and-anxiety/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251840-mindfulness-and... > If you can't sit still with your own thoughts for 60 seconds without spiraling, then you shouldn't even be remotely near social media. Not exactly disagreeing with you here, but neither is meditation necessarily better. Therapy is probably the best thing, but social media is "free." And, note that I'm not in favor of social media, merely explaining the cost-benefit analysis that people in this hole use. Reasoning from your high horse will result in different cost-benefit analysis, which won't make any sense to the people whose lives you might like to improve.

confidantlake 5y ago
Is there any evidence that therapy is helpful? Haven't seen any evidence supporting it but I might not be searching correctly.
- SamoyedFurFluff 5y ago
  Have you looked at Google scholar? Less than 5 minutes of “effectiveness therapy anxiety” gave me multiple pages of results going back decades.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
gnramires 5y ago
I would be wary with different meditation practices. I don't think it's a one-size-fits all. Zen Buddhism and other traditions have very long history and experience with meditation. Now the West unfortunately sometimes imports ideas superficially, and meditation might be one of them. 'Mindfulness meditation' seems to have specific suggestions that probably haven't stood the test of time (or scientific evidence as mentioned). However, sitting a few minutes quietly (without worrying about specific technique) shouldn't do any harm, is probably good for you. Also very emphasized in those traditions is controlled breathing. It can be very helpful when stressed as well. If it makes you feel unwell, stop doing it! Also maybe consult with someone with experience.

devit 5y ago

Well, if you do "meditation" (or "do nothing") in a way that results in shutting down all thoughts except the depressive ones, then it's going to make things worse. In that case, you might be (temporarily) better off adding some very powerful and addictive thoughts or feelings to cover up the depressive ones; I think this might be in fact one of the main uses of social media and videogames.

klyrs 5y ago
Yep, even something mindless like candy crush is probably better than social media. But... what's actually missing for a lot of people is actual community. So many of us live in tiny bubbles in big cities, we crave human interaction... so the lure of social media is powerful. It's actually a miasma of drama (if my family is indication) that appears to shatter actual community, both on and offline, sending people further into their increasingly socially inept bubbles. I wish I had solutions to offer. It's a goddamn mess.