Technology has made it easier for us to stay connected. It takes minutes and sometimes only seconds to upload a picture, send a mail or look someone up. The world seems like a click away. 

With the latest internet speed, it seems like we are connecting unhindered, chatting uninterrupted and posting everything on the internet platforms. Starting from the communication in offices or schools, to the interaction with your close buddies, it becomes easier to talk on internet. However, research suggests that these mediums have changed the way we communicate with others. 

 
Changes in the way we interact: 

1) Quality of interaction: The long conversations with our schoolmates seem to be hidden underneath our happy smileys and the comments under the vacation photos. We are prompt at commenting on a friend's wall about their birthday but unfortunately we are missing out on the happenings in their life that a real-life interaction with them on phone might have resulted in. Think of last time you dialled a friend's number and had a hearty laugh? 

2) Obsession with electronic devices: While the internet is making us easily accessible to our loved ones, the sound of each notification makes us feel on edge. Can you think of the last time you went to a restaurant with your family or friends and did not look at your smartphone even once? 

3) Missing out on real-life interaction: With more interaction on instant messages, we are living in the virtual world built by these social mediums. We might be aware of the smileys to be sent to a person when he has got a promotion but often times are not aware of the smile (or the frown) on a family member's face who is sitting right next to you. 

4) Comparisons and unrealistic expectations: The anxiety of getting more likes on a picture is affecting the way people evaluate themselves. People feel depressed after seeing pictures of their friends getting married, getting a flashy new car, a lovely house, having a baby, getting a big promotion, etc. because they feel they do not measure up. 

So what shall one do? 

As cooking your favorite dish needs the right blend of spices, balancing your communication requires the right blend of social media and personal relationships. Here is how you could find a balance. 

Go on walks with family members or friends without the gadgets like your phone which make social networking sites accessible. 

Find time at least once in a week where family members sit together and talk. Say no to interruptions like alerts on your phone or Instagram. 

Take a vacation without the baggage of social media on your shoulder. It won't do any harm to go on a vacation and not tell the world about it. 

Take out time in the week to have a heart to heart talk with a friend or reconnect with someone who has been long forgotten. 

Go for school/college reunions. It is nice to meet people in person rather than just looking at their pictures. 

Try observing people when at social gatherings. Human emotions might seem more fascinating than sending the emoticons on the phone. 

And lastly, STOP COMPARING THEIR REEL LIFE WITH YOUR REAL LIFE. 

It could be difficult to take these steps all of a sudden. We have become so immersed in our social media statuses that we might have the repeated urge to look at our profiles. Moreover, there could be discomfort in initiating conversation with a person whom one has always interacted with via e-mails or facebook. 
If you require help with this issue, feel free to reach out to us on 1800 3358 8999 or 18002588121 to talk to a counsellor. 

Perhaps working on this issue would enable you to communicate to people in the real world with as much confidence as you have with the people in your virtual social networking worlds! 

If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help. 
 
Online Counselling 
Place an online request for an Appointment 

Call 1800-258-8999 / 1800-258-8121