The Health Benefits of Social Media
Why do so many people indulge in social media as a regular means of communication? Do they use it to increase business? Do they use it to develop new relationships? Do they do it because it feels good?
The answer is that they do it for all of those reasons. It has come to light that using social media on a very regular basis is actually good for the health of the people who are doing the indulging. This conclusion is based on scientific facts and the body goes through some positive and beneficial changes as a result of using social media.
A release of the hormone
Oxytocin is the hormone that causes a pregnant woman to go into labor and to deliver the baby and which also fosters an unbreakable bond between mother and child. It makes sense that in that case, whenever oxytocin is present, it may cause behavior that is positive and bonding. The release of oxytocin causes people to feel affectionate and content. Along with that, the person becomes calm and loving.
Oxytocin and social media
Social media, to a great degree, has replaced face-to-face interactions with people. People are communicating more and more online through the various social media channels and less and less in person. There have been studies done that conclude that oxytocin is released when people engage in social media and build more and more relationships online. Building and maintaining strong online relationships makes people very happy and when they are happy, they will also enjoy good health (both physically and mentally). The happy result of that is a longer and better-quality lifespan. All human beings have a need to communicate with other human beings. That, of course, is at the heart of social networking.
As technology is evolving and more and more people are getting involved with this modern way of communicating, businesses need to customize their marketing campaigns to include social media and the importance of that type of communication. According to scientific research, when oxytocin is released into the body, the feelings of trust and satisfaction increase and fear and discomfort wane. It is exactly that situation that all businesses strive to achieve through the marketing of their brands and products and services. It is well known that one of the most effective ways to create brand loyalty is by personally touching people in some way. What better way is there to do that than by causing people to feel good?
There are several specific health benefits that happen as a result of using social media:
- Connecting with new friends: The feeling of being connected to other people generally result in longer and happier lives for all involved. Many social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, cause connections between people that are impossible offline. The feeling of being connected makes people feel less personally isolated.
- Getting involved in business networking: Keeping closely connected to business associates and news about your industry is very quick and easy online. It makes you feel really good when you have your finger on the pulse of what is going on and being able to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.
- Allowing people to be a part of your world: The more you give to other people, the more they will give back to you. People who are a part of the same community or communities love to share with each other and help each other. Being a positive influence in other people’s lives is a wonderful feeling and people want to have that feeling on an ongoing basis.
- Helping others: When people in need reach out to others online, they will generally get a positive and generous response. Helping others makes you feel really good about yourself and if you feel good about yourself, you will be healthier than you would have been otherwise.
Conclusion
Social networks are becoming more and more important as time goes on, both to individuals and to businesses. As they continue to gain more increased momentum, more and more people are being touched by them and influenced by them. Social media channels have a great and powerful influence on people and businesses. They contribute a great deal to the mood and the overall demeanor of everyone who touches them.
We are pleased to provide you with the insightful comments contained herein. Please contact us at CompuKol Communications for further discussion on how we might be able to assist you and your team.
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Group: eMarketing Association Network
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
It may be to develop a new relationship and promotion, awareness
Posted by Ashlesha S
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Group: Marketing 2.0 Technology (Over 3400+ Members)
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Means of communication
Posted by Syed Hasnain Alam
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Group: eMarketing Association Network
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Increase business and develop new relationship and promotion ,
Posted by Hemanth Kumar
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Group: Future Social Media
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Hi Carolyn,
What a brilliant set of questions and I think all of the above apply. Social media is another route to market for businesses and, of course, keeping regular contact with anyone, socially and for business. New relationships can and do develop through social networking and also old relationships are rekindled.
I think people do feel good interacting in social media, particularly if the conversation is relevant, isn't that what we are all after in life, relevance and purpose?
I also think that people need a time management strategy and a business plan with social media to stay on track! With such rich content out there, the potential to get bogged down is phenomenal.
I personally love the opportunities the development of social networks has introduced and have benefited well from utilising certain platforms; I do have to switch my computer off sometimes though!
Anna
Posted by Anna Woolliscroft
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Group: ForbesWoman
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
In the past few days, I conducted a survey among women I know who are frequent Facebook users. The results are on http://atlantabizwoman.blogspot.com/2010/10/facebook-users-goals-and-benefits.html
I was especially struck by the responders who said that Facebook had replaced their telephone and those who use Social Media to stay in touch with family members. That does not seem particularly healthy to me.
@lyasorano
Posted by Lya Sorano — Writer & New Media Strategist
Excellent points! I'd just like to add another one.
Last week, I attend a speed networking event. this is a brilliant way to mix exclusively on-line Social Media with face to face social meeting. The beauty of it is th, by combining the two, you gain an incredible amount of time and can get in touch with relevant people that would have remained invisible if it was not for on-line Social Media.
So social media does not necessarily has to be limited to the virtual world at all 🙂
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Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
I think it's all of the above. We're online all the time – for everything. So it makes sense to meet people where they are. Social media is just one way to make that happen.
Posted by Rachel Ankersen
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Group: Bergen County Business Professionals
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
To answer your question, I would say a little of all of the above. Social Media in general is a means to engage in some type of community, whether it's for business, pleasure or maybe a little of both. It's an information resource, a networking tool, a therapy session, etc. Some people use it to build their company's brand and use it as a business tool and some people use it to simply keep in touch the way we used to do with a letter (remember that concept?) In any case, the beauty of it is that there seems to be something for everyone. In terms of the Health Benefits you mentioned in the title, I'm not so sure about that one but I would say, like most things, "Everything in moderation!"
Posted by Mike Baczynski
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Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
I would add that hey use it to maintain and enhance existing relationships!
Posted by David Grueneberg
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Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
People are just like a heard of wilder beasts; we do things because everyone else is doing it. We panic for the wrong reasons, we react to the heard actions, we vote for the wrong candidate, not for a better one. Social Media allows us to connect without a commitment to others. I'm not quite sure why I use it.
Cheers
Posted by Noah Rosenblum
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
The internet has spoiled us. You can obtain answers to nearly any question in a matter of seconds.
I believe people are inherently curious and look to instantly satisfy their inquiries.
They can satisfy their curiosities quickly by following their favorite people and brands via social media sites.
Social media sites provide some of the fastest resources for answers to satisfy the every-increasingly impatient generations of people. Questions may range from an actual question pertaining to nutrition or health — to — your crush's most recent status update.
In addition, it is easier to communicate with a group of people via social media sites such as Facebook. One reason it is easier is that you can usually search for people on Facebook by their first and last names and then you can send them a message or a wall post. This is much easier than trying to find someone's email address as there is no standard format for every individual's email address. Also, most people are naturally sociable and get pleasure out of communicating with others.
Posted by Jill Knepper
As a health care and science writer, I found this to be a fascinating article. Thank you for sharing this information.
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Group: New Jersey Bergen County Networking Group
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
I can't speak for anyone else. Me? I'm looking for a job, and finding contacts that might help me is my primary reason. I think "social media" is somewhat of an oxymoron. Give me face-to-face any day. You can become so stuck behind this screen, it almost becomes anti social. For many of the same reasons that our kids are obese (they're here, instead of outside playing ball) I think we can run the risk of becoming hermetically sealed in this internet bubble and fool ourselves into believing we are social creatures. Yes, it's a way to stay in touch. But it is also a way to stay away, with delusions of being involved. Many days I feel as thought it's the antithesis of healthy. But again, that's just me.
Posted by sheryl cooper
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Group: "Write It Down"-A Website for Writers
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
I think all three reasons you cited are relevant. Human beings have a need to connect with those with shared interests, talents, etc.; have a yearning to learn (and how better to do so than communicating with people of varying backgrounds); and have a need to express themselves (and, thus, find more listeners). Perhaps it's the creative genius we all possess that wants to pour out in ever new ways. And let's not forget that business people are trained to broaden their horizons in order to get ahead (not to mention provide opportunities to keep finding out if we're still "in tune" and where we're supposed to be in life). Don't all these things make for happier, more fulfilled people. Kind of like therapy for some:~)
Posted by Bev Drake
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Group: Official Joomla! Users Group
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
It is all of the above. Social Media is not an option for business, it is a must! It is a great way to communicate publicly with your clients/friends and find new leads (friends of friends mostly).
Consider this somewhat mathematical formula:
Lets say I have a business and I have 10 followers on my Facebook, each of my friends has 10 friends… I create some posts and all of my 10 followers give me "thumbs up", this creates a post on their friends profiles that "such and such likes such post".
10 (my friends) * 10 (my friends friends) = 100 exposures.
Social Media is also used for website search engine ranking.
In England, there was a study to determine how many people you need to know to find some random person. The answer is 8! Out of 8 people that you know, they know more people, how know more people, who know more …. who knows the person you are looking for. Think about it! and think about how Social Media can help.
Posted by Oleksandr Balyuk
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Personally, I use it as a means to improve my brand awareness. It is the most cost effective means of getting my message out to the general public. I now use the majority of my direct mail budget to communicate with actual clients.
Posted by Eustace Greaves, Jr., LUTCF
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Group: Professional Writers
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Easy to use, don't have to get engaged in a long conversation, can tell a lot of people the same info with one post. It can be to try and increase business. Yes to develop new relationships, and renew old ones (like long lost family & friends). It does feel good to share and hear responses from others.
Posted by Sandy Penny
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Group: Bergen County Business Professionals
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
Interesting questions and probably all do apply at some point. As I was thinking about my social media work, I realized that many of the same relationships principles seem to still apply as well. In Face to face networking, we make our connection not just at that moment, but over a period of time. And yes, there are times when that connection is quick, all the people attributes play into that. With social media, we make the connection more by what people are saying and doing (much the same way as in face to face) with their information sharing. I have made many very good connections through media. Some are turning into joint ventures. All based on a combination of technology driven conversations, but also personal – telephone, webinar, etc. The thought that comes to mind is always the more things change, the more they stay the same.
To the point of health benefit, I really feel it is a health benefit as we don't have to run around so much going to meetings, but enjoy, from the comfort of our location, making connections, communicating with people and building relationships that will helps business.
Posted by Louise DiSclafani
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Group: True Wealth Social Media Network
Discussion: The Health Benefits of Social Media
There are different types/target groups of people interested in social media. This medium was firstly initiated by individuals who needed to communicate with others, without revealing their real identity or without the need to see them in person. Of course both of these cases reflects specific personalities in our century. The last years several companies found potencial of increase their business via social media, by engaging the consumers in a unique, convinient and personalised environment.
Posted by Kyriaki Salavanitou
As the younger age groups age into their 60's, we'll see a lot more interest in social media.
it is still a mystery to many of us what the internet is, let alone social media. Many of my friends are just discovering smartphones. The potential there is unlimited.
That's why I started a group on Linkedin to help my generation learn how to use smartphones. They will link to social media more and more through their phones and skip the computer phase. It is easier to set up a smartphone, than learn computers and get an internet connection.
Plus anyone that can afford one will carry it with them. They will communicate with their social circles, read a book and communicate during emergencies once their phone is set up.