Social Networks Beat Stress

I cannot and should not be cured of my stress, but merely taught to enjoy it. – Hans Selye

There’s no denying it. It is everywhere. Every person I meet is talking about it. I can’t seem to avoid it. IT – is NOT the economy, stupid. IT is stress.

While the economy is one source of stress for many people these days, it is only one of many. When I talk to friends, I hear, “I’m not getting enough sleep. I can’t get away from the television (or the computer), I don’t want to miss anything that’s happening.” Or, “There just aren’t enough hours in the day…”

And forget about the conversations with my friends who are parents. That’s another whole topic.

The Stress Institute says that stress is the epidemic of the 21st century.

The American Institute of Stress defines it as “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.”

We live in a world where our ability to connect with others is limitless. The Internet and social networking provide us with a means of connecting with others that may help with reducing our stress. Abraham Maslow, the American psychologist most well known for the “hierarchy of human needs,” described the “sense of belonging” as one of the social needs that is core to our self-actualization.

Perhaps it is no surprise that social networking has exploded in recent years. It provides a way of connecting with like-minded individuals instantly. It doesn’t matter if you want to find a date, play scrabble on-line, learn photography or find others to go kayaking with. A social network on almost any topic is a few clicks away.

Research shows that bonding results from these interactions and creates a feeling of belonging and connectedness. The effects of stress are lessened through such interpersonal relationships and strong support systems.

So whether you are Skyping, Twittering, or texting, be grateful for the interactions your social network provides, and use it as a way to lessen the impact of the stress that is going around.

Continue reading here: Twitter is a Wonderland

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