Do you feel lonely? Well, you are not alone. In fact, 47%of Americans suffer from loneliness, according to a health service organization, Cigna.

In an age where social media is considered to bridge gaps and bring people closer together than ever, such a thing doesn’t seem possible. But, unfortunately, it is.

A new research study by the University of Pennsylvania, “No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression” suggests that the incessant use of Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram is associated with decreased mental and social well-being in undergraduates.

Obsessive Use of Social Media Elicit Envy And Unworthiness

How many times have you watched videos of a friend on a solo trip to Japan? Or watched an acquaintance posting curated pictures of her collection of Hermes bags? Once you start comparing your life to theirs, you will feel a sense of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and failure. This illogical impulse will be even stronger for those who already suffer from self-esteem issues. These people will obsessively check their social media status to see if their followers have “liked” their posts or wished them a happy work anniversary — and if they don’t get the required compliments, it is very easy to fall into depression.

Obsessive Use of Social Media Creates Feelings of Disconnect

We have become such creatures of habit that if we are sitting alone, waiting for a friend at a restaurant, we take out our phones, rather than pay attention to our surroundings. Some socially-awkward people may find chatting to a friend online easier than tolerating the curious stares of strangers; however, as soon as they go offline, their connection disappears, and you feel a sense of disconnect with the “real world.” This actually makes you feel even more isolated.

Obsessive Use of Social Media Increases Mental Stress

A study conducted by the University of British Columbia stated that just a slight buzzing of the phone can cause an abrupt decrease in enjoyment. Consider this scenario: You are at your sister’s wedding when your phone buzzes with a new Facebook notification. Your immediate reaction would be to grab your phone so that you don’t miss out. Even if by sheer force of will, you do not open the app, that one moment of buzzing will have disconnected you from others at the party. It will also put a damper on your ability to relax and just have fun with your family.

This lack of rest and relaxation can also make a person susceptible to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Their strange mood swings will also cause others to distance themselves from the person in question.

So, is social media a bad thing?

Not necessarily. Dr. Hunt emphasizes the fact that she does not suggest college students stop using social media. Instead, she advocates limiting screen time and spending more time with real live people.

In fact, social media has proven to be beneficial for introverted teenagers. Studies show that students who use social media to discuss school get higher grades. Social media has also been instrumental in students fighting depression by providing sources of information that can help them heal. In fact, many shy students find it easier to talk to people when they have a barrier of a screen between them.

Hence, social media, if used in moderation, gives us ample opportunity to socialize, bond and form connections.

It is quite ironic that people who are lonely turn to social media to feel connected and valued. Conversely, people who are not lonely, to begin with, may develop disconnect and isolation, because of too much time on social media.

In the end, it all comes down to quality versus quantity. So, don’t be afraid to unplug and unwind.

Businesses that have a lot of customers may seem successful, but the real challenge is to retain those customers in the long run. When a customer continues to purchase your product/service, they are showing you brand loyalty. Not only is this a great way to boost your company’s morale, it also increases the chances of the customer recommending you to others.

However, long term customer retention is not easy. It takes a little bit of effort to make sure that your service quality is consistent enough that the customer keeps on coming back time and again. Here are 5 ways to make sure your customer retention plans work out every time!

1. Value Feedback

Customer feedback is essential to understanding how they view their relationship with you. Even if all they have to say are positive things, you will still learn a lot by getting to know their perspective. Make it as easy as possible for customers to get in touch with you when they want to let you know something is wrong. And make sure that you reply to them as soon as possible. Good customer service shows that the brand cares about customer experience.

2. Give Customers More Than Just a Product

Even if you have the best product or service on the market – there’s no guarantee it’ll stay that way. What’s going to last longer is a connection with your brand, a connection that goes beyond your product to things such as appreciating your brands work ethic, or resonating with your social responsibility goals. Use social media and blogs to build a relationship with your customers where they can get to know you not just as a business, but on a more personal level as the people behind the business.

3. Have a Strong Corporate Social Responsibility Model in Place

A good CSR program can resonate with customers by showing them that you are willing to contribute to making society a better place. Choose a cause that is important to you and stick to it. Customers are increasingly drawn to brands that support some social cause because it gives them the satisfaction of knowing that they are also making a small change by choosing a socially conscious brand.

4. Offer Special Rewards Programs

Customer retention is all about making sure customers choose to come back to you time and again. A great way to do this is by giving them the choice to sign up for a loyalty or rewards program that will give them points they can use later on every time they shop.

5. Stay Consistent and Thorough

Nothing comes easy. If you want to ensure that your customers are satisfied and willing to come back, you will need to keep customer engagement consistent, engaging, and organized. A good CRM system can help you gather and manage customer information efficiently and help keep engagement consistent.

By keeping these five points in mind, you will start to notice repeat customers. In the long run these customers are the ones that will provide stability and profitability to your business. So, don’t let this opportunity go by and start working on holding on to your one time customers.