17 Mar 2023
Groundhog Day: The Internet Destroys and Saves Our Mental Health
https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/23312/4903
🌿 Can the Internet Support Our Mental Health?
At Terra Soul Therapies, we know life isn’t black and white — and neither is our relationship with the online world.
A recent article explored something many of us feel: that the internet can both support and challenge our mental health. Here’s a breakdown:
✨ The Good
Connection when you’re feeling alone
Online communities can offer a sense of belonging, especially for people who feel isolated in their everyday lives.
Safe spaces to explore identity
Social media and forums can help people explore their mental health, cultural identity, gender, or neurodivergence in ways they might not feel safe to offline.
Access to stories and support
Many people find comfort in knowing they’re not the only one going through something. Hearing others’ experiences can be validating and healing.
A chance to express yourself
Sharing art, journaling, humour, or insights online can be a creative outlet that feels therapeutic in itself.
🌪️ The Harder Side
Constant comparison
Social media can lead us to compare our lives, bodies, or progress to others, often without realising it — and this can fuel self-doubt or low mood.
Pressure to perform or explain yourself
For some, being online feels like needing to “prove” or justify who you are, which can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing.
Information overload
The sheer volume of mental health content can be overwhelming — and not all of it is accurate or helpful.
Emotional burnout
Even supportive online spaces can become draining if we don’t take breaks or listen to our nervous system’s cues.
💭 So… is it helpful or harmful?
There’s no simple answer — it depends on you and what’s happening in your life.
Instead of judging it, we can gently ask:
How does this feel in my body?
Is this helping me feel connected, or more disconnected?
Am I using this space, or is it using me?
💬 Therapy can help you:
Reflect on your relationship with the online world
Explore feelings of overwhelm, disconnection, or anxiety
Reclaim your voice and values away from digital noise
Build habits that support emotional regulation and balance
Come back to your body, breath, and inner wisdom
📞 If this resonates, support is available.
Visit www.terrasoultherapies.com.au or call 0416 158 752.
Come as you are. Leave a little more at peace.
https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/23312/4903