Facebook “self-soothing” can help raise mood, study says

PanARMENIAN.Net - New research has suggested that looking at old photos of yourself on Facebook can help boost your mood, Digital Spy said.

Dr Alice Good from the University of Portsmouth found that almost 90% of Facebook users access the site to look at their old posts, while 75% of people look at their old photos when they are feeling down.

The survey, featuring 144 Facebook users, found that people often use the social network to reminisce, returning to old photos and wall posts to make them feel happy.

The survey also discovered that people with mental health issues were particularly comforted by the site.

Dr Good revealed: "We were very surprised by these findings, which contradict some recent reports. Although this was only a small study, we will go on to study larger groups to see if the results remain consistent."

Dr Clare Wilson, who is also from the University of Portsmouth, added: "The pictures we often post are reminders of a positive past event. When in the grip of a negative mood, it is too easy to forget how good we often feel. Our positive posts can remind us of this."