Study Claims, People Who Post Their Fitness Routine To Social Media Have Psychological Problems

Aug 31, 2018

Do you, or someone you know, frequently post details about working out? According to this new study, bragging about the gym on a daily basis may be a sign of deep psychological issues.

Social media connects people. We're joined at the hip by our smart devices, constantly up-to-date with what's happening locally and worldwide. This level of connectivity grants us a daily glimpse into the lives of our friends, for better or worse. These proverbial front row seats let people see tender moments, like a couple's engagement or a baby's first steps - but it also lets everyone see the boring, mundane tasks of daily living, including the daily workout millions of people engage in.

You may have a friend who posts about the gym a lot. Their selfies or text posts show up on your feed with annoying frequency. Yes, it's important to stay healthy and exercise regularly, but all you need for that is a pair of running shoes, not the Internet. In fact, the Internet exacerbates the problem, enabling slothful and narcissistic behaviors.

How ironic is it, that posts celebrating good physical health are sometimes a symptom of poor mental health?

That's exactly what researchers at Brunel University discovered in their study. They came to the conclusion that people who post daily about their gym habits may be narcissists.

Their posts stop being about the gym, and become cries for attention that can never be completely satisfied. Social platforms do nothing to stop this - in fact, they feed the poor behaviors and make it much worse.

Likes, favorites, shares, retweets - all of them are validating. The more, the better. This need for validation exists even to someone who doesn't suffer from narcissistic tendencies. It's like a security blanket. Those likes are confirmation from loved ones - "Yes, we see you. We appreciate you." While it may feel comforting, the sad reality is that it's all fake.

People who constantly post about themselves, flaunting their superiority are often trying to hide deep psychological insecurities. The posts are a shield, a fake face, protection, and validation they lack inside.

How do you feel about this study? Do you think that social media encourages narcissistic behaviors? Are frequent posts about the gym annoying, or is there something else going on under the surface?