Here are several ways that using social media might negatively impact your sexual life, along with professional advice on how to improve it. Social media may make.
1. Low self-esteem
Comparing oneself to others
while browsing Facebook or Instagram is all too simple. Mindy DeSeta, a
sexologist and sexuality educator at the dating app Hily, claims that this kind
of comparison is only normal. According to her, the issue is that "we
always come out on the bottom when we compare ourselves to a snapshot of
another person's life." Additionally, you're more prone to have depression
about sex if you're feeling bad about yourself or your relationships.
According to DeSeta,
"sex is not just between the legs, but between the ears." "We
are at risk for sexual dysfunction or not wanting sex at all if we are dealing
with low self-esteem, self-doubt, or anxiety.
2. Negative Body Image
You're not alone if you've
ever moaned at your own mirror after browsing social media. Particularly,
fitspiration-style articles that focus on topics like diet fads and muscle tone
lead to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, which in turn interfere
with sexual desire and pleasure.
Even if we are aware that the
photos have been altered, DeSeta said that the meticulously planned social
media feeds cause our brains to fabricate a complex narrative around each
picture and distort our idea of what is "sexy," forcing us to compromise
our authenticity. "We still aspire to feel and look as hot as the filtered
model in the pictures that went viral."
Poor body image is associated
with orgasm issues during coupled and solitary sex, in addition to decreased
sexual desire.
3. Insufficient Time for
Closeness
Adults use social media for
around 2.5 hours per day, according to conservative estimates. You may not have
time for intimacy if you factor in the time you spend on job, personal
cleanliness, and other commitments.
According to Nelson, a lot of
couples spend more time in bed staring at devices than spending time together.
"You are sending your
partner a direct message that you prefer the phone over them if you are using
it when you could be spending real time with them," she added. "A
couple may begin to grow emotionally aloof as a result of this decision, and
the other people feel rejected."
4. Reactivity to Emotions
You could find yourself
yelling at your spouse instead of talking to them after catching up on your
social media. Information processing difficulties and increased emotional
reactivity have even been related to having your smartphone close by. You could
feel particularly agitated—and not in a "oh, baby" kind of way—when
you combine that with the divisive viewpoints and alarming stories that
dominate social media feeds.
According to DeSeta, social
media "inspires high emotional reactivity by design." "Your
libido will naturally decline if you are already emotionally charged from what
you saw while scrolling."
5. Exhaustion and Stress
Overuse of social media may
disrupt sleep, which raises stress levels. Stress and sleep deprivation
exacerbate sexual dysfunction.
Nelson said, "Digital
overstimulation and doom scrolling can take over the brain's reward system,
making real-life intimacy seem less exciting or novel and completely draining
your energy and time, even to create space to be in the mood to have sex."
Enhancing Your Sexual
Experience in the Digital Era
Giving up social media is not
necessary to alleviate associated sexual difficulties. Changing your strategy
might be beneficial even if you remain reasonably involved with the platforms.
Nelson advises not using a
screen for at least an hour just before bed. "Instead, replace scrolling
with rituals of intimate pleasure," she said. For instance, massage each
other or take a relaxing bath.
Change what you see online to
help you feel better about your physique. Nelson said, "Follow accounts
that promote sex positivity, body neutrality, and consent." "Clean
your feed to include diverse, body-neutral creators who celebrate all shapes,
sizes, and identities, and reset your algorithm." According to her, doing
so normalizes actual bodies and challenges unattainable body norms. She advises
valuing your body for its functional abilities, such as breathing, walking, and
hugging, rather than its appearance when you're not using it.
















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