AXA PPP healthcare is a UK private medical insurance provider, and is part of the AXA group of companies

AXA PPP

Social media is everywhere. If we're not updating our connections about where we've been or what we're seeing, we're no doubt uploading a photo of the delicious meal we're about to eat. The popularity of sharing our experiences via social channels can't be denied, with an estimated 2.77 billion social media users 

, and it plays a significant role in our lives - both at work and at home. But has our need to keep people updated on our every move or thought gone too far?

An often debated benefit of social media is that it reduces isolation by connecting people all over the world, as you are able to track what your friend in New Zealand is up to, without needing to stay up late to Skype. However, in many ways, this connectivity can be a 'false reality' - simply a window through which you see just a snapshot of another person's life - you don't know what they're really thinking or feeling, emotions which can only be delved into during a conversation.

Additionally, this snapshot is often carefully choreographed, and portrays the subject at their best, without realities to impair the moment. As a result, when seeing these pictures of 

, it's natural to envisage their perfect life and compare their experiences to yours, which may not live up in 

. It's not surprising to learn that a recent study by researchers from the University of Houston in Texas has shown that social media is contributing to 

 due to users comparing themselves to others.

So, bearing this in mind, is it time we put down Snapchat, deleted Facebook or disabled Instagram for a while, to give us not only a break from the perfect lives of others, but also to regain perspective?

If you're considering taking a social media holiday, keep the following in mind:

Taking the plunge and giving up social media for a week or more can be an incredibly refreshing experience. It lets you live in the present, and remember memories in real-time, instead of via a camera lens. Technology has made it so easy for us to stay connected and to know our friends' ins and outs, but it shouldn't replace face-to-face contact as this is not always the healthy or desirable option.

By Dr Mark Winwood, Director of Psychological Services for 

Can social media reduce mental health stigma?