Ask HN: Does social media use lead to mental/physical fatigue? I’ve noticed that I have mental (and perhaps physical) fatigue when I spent a lot of time online. I don’t yet have a theory as to why, but I’m curious if this translates to other people’s experience with social media / online. |
Now I'm back to just living my life. I participate on HN, but this is about the limit of my online interactions, and I enjoy my life.
Every time the brain has to handle pleasure or threat its using energy. Its not designed to do it all the time. So if you are feeling drained its a signal to take a break from the endless stream of pleasure and threat.
An interesting example is high-performing chess players: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/18/762046422/the-chess-grandmast...
If you're super focused/engaged with social media, you're brain is burning energy.
However, I do feel a weird sort of boredom. I am not having fun, but I'm not bored enough to go do something else. It's a bit like when I have snacks instead of a meal. I should be doing something bigger and better, but that prevents me from getting started.
I get so bored i have to check social media in the middle of my run / workout. And I’m pretty sure i’m one of those weird people who likes working out! Anything else - classes, reading, hanging out - is a struggle because i just get so bored. I’m pretty sure it affects me falling asleep too.