Tips To Keep A Healthy Mind When Using Social Media
In today’s day, social media is one of the most prevalent aspects of our society. Upon waking up in the morning, most people pick up their phones before they even have a chance to leave their beds or prepare for the day ahead. When we begin our day aimlessly scrolling or looking at selective highlight reels of others, we set a negative tone for the day that keeps us in this addictive and unhealthy cycle. Whether we are actively aware of it or not, social media can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and a decline in confidence. Spending hours scrolling or swiping can lead us to compare ourselves to others, minimizing just how wonderful we are as well.
Social media can have profound impacts on our mental health, whether we realize it or not. First, social media is carefully designed to be highly addictive. Our feed is specifically tailored to show posts that spark our interests, and the spontaneous outcome of those posts on our end in turn releases dopamine in our brain. This means that our brain leaves us with a similar reaction to the one we would have if we were using a slot machine at a casino. As a result, we continue to scroll and scroll and feed into that negative cycle. In addition to addiction, it is completely normal for us to compare ourselves to others, whether it be comparing our careers, our appearance, or our habits. Yet, those comparisons are not accurate nor are they healthy to make. The reality is social media is a carefully curated highlight reel where users choose what they want their followers to see, usually leaving the unfortunate moments in their life out of their social media presence. We often lose sight of this, believing what is on social media is the full truth, which is hardly ever the case. As a result, social media can become incredibly isolating. In a recent study, the University of Pennsylvania had found that people who reduce their social media usage experience a lot less loneliness than those with excessive social media use. Those feelings of loneliness associated with social media can also lead to severe feelings of depression, anxiety, and even thoughts regarding self-harm.
While social media can lead to many negative impacts on our mental health, there are ways to combat its effects and even help prevent them. Below are a couple of ways you can keep a healthy mind when it comes to using social media.
1. Unfollow or mute accounts
It may be a helpful idea to unfollow or mute accounts that do not promote a healthy well-being or serve as a trigger for you. If somebody’s posts do not make you feel good about yourself, leave you feeling less than, or leave you feeling like you need to change, you certainly do not need to follow them! In fact, you shouldn’t! Try thinking of social media as a place or community of positivity, and carefully curate your feed to reflect that. Try choosing to follow accounts that make you feel empowered or happy, rather than upset.
2. charge your phone outside of your bedroom at night
This may be a good idea as it will help eliminate the temptation to check social media right before you sleep at night or first thing upon waking up in the morning. Sleep is so important for our physical and emotional beings, and social media usage right before or right upon waking can interfere with our sleep. Those who do do not spend all night scrolling before bed or first thing in the morning have a more regular and easier time with their night and morning routines. This can help you start your day on a more positive and happy note.
3. Mute notifications
Muting your social media notifications can be so helpful as you continue throughout your day. With your notifications muted, it will help negate temptation to check your social media throughout the day, which can interfere with your work or daily activities. Without a constant flood of notifications, it will allow you to stay in the present moment and enjoy the time you are spending with those around you as well. Using your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature throughout the day may be helpful as well when you are working, sleeping, or just need a break from your screen.
4. set a time reminder
Monitoring the amount of time you spend scrolling or swiping on social media can be a really helpful strategy in preventing the negative feelings that social media can instill. A lot of social media apps have a feature in settings which allows you to set a daily time limit. Choosing an appropriate time for you may be a good idea and will remind you to take a break from social media in your day. If your notifications are on, try using your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature to resist the temptation to check your feed.
