Is Instagram to blame for London's rising stress levels?
Stress is an epidemic, and it’s only growing worse. The annual stress awareness month in April aims to mitigate it with a series of workshops and events.
Londoners are stressed. In particular, a new study by health service provider Babylon Health has found that citizens in Islington and Richmond are among those suffering the most.
In a UK-wide study by the Mental Health Foundation, 74 per cent of people said they have felt “so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope” at least once over the past year.
In 2020, the Royal Society for Public Health and the Young Health Movement have jointly suggested that Instagram may be one of the root causes of stress among young people.
Lottie Archer, a 28-year-old model, has felt work-related pressure exacerbated through the platform.
She says, “On Instagram you’re competing with people who are constantly faking everything. You don’t know what’s real.
“I’ve had work done to my face and body. I’ve made these choices purely because I want my image to be young for Instagram.”
Tari Leah is a 21-year-old aspiring fashion merchandiser who is launching her own mental health awareness magazine. She says, “Nobody should be alone with their overwhelming feelings and thoughts.
“I want the magazine to be a platform for raising awareness about the impact of stress.
“I think the April awareness month has a lot in store for people globally. It’s going to be a great time for communication.”
