Whether social media use is for professional or personal reasons (or both), many of us spend a lot of time each day on those websites and apps. Because so much time is spent on social media use, it can have a big effect on our mental health.
To help keep our well-loved social media apps positive spaces; I recommend keeping good vibes, setting limits, enjoying your downtime in other ways, stop comparing and be authentic and live your best life.
1. Good Vibes Only
Who inspires you?
Who do you have things in common with?
Who do you get great ideas from?
Who makes you laugh?
Who keeps it authentic?
These are the types of people you should keep following. Keep the good vibes going! If you follow people who bring negativity to your feed… it’s time to click that unfollow button.
I think we sometimes feel that if someone engages with our profile we should follow them. That it’s some sort of unspoken rule! Well, actually, it isn’t. You’re in charge of what you see on your feed. It’s up to you to be the curator.
2. Social Media use Limits
Place social media limits. We often think that these limits are only necessary for kids with electronics. But, actually, us adults can benefit from them too!
Decide times that will be “social media free”. For example, I’ve decided that I will not scroll when spending time with friends and family & I do not scroll before bed. Once I get into bed, it’s reading time only in efforts to unwind.
3. Spend Down Time Wisely
Make sure you spend your downtime doing things you love. Avoid spending that time tuning into other people doing things they love.
Sure a few minutes here and there isn’t a huge deal but a few hours here and there really adds up. If you have an iPhone, you can check in on your social media use. It will tell you how much time your social media on a day to day basis and will give you a weekly summary.
4. Stop Comparing
Do you compare yourself to others?
Do you ever get down on yourself thinking others teach better?
Have cuter outfits?
Tidier homes?
Better parenting skills?
Then I have a few words for you… you need to stop comparing yourself to others’ highlights. Easier said than done right?
The keyword is: highlight. You may be forgetting that Instagram or other platforms are often a highlight reel. You can’t compare your very real life to others’ highlights.
5. Be Authentic and Live Your Best Life
Don’t live to post on Insta. Live, and maybe post one of those moments on Insta. Are you picking up on what I’m puttin’ down?
Don’t worry so much about creating the moments with perfect hair and makeup all the time. Sure, it can be fun sometimes but let’s keep it real.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my other posts on different types of self care. I wrote a post about physical self care, emotional self care, personal self care, and financial self care.
For further reading, I recommend reading The Introverted Online Teacher’s post entitled How and Why I Began an Online Teaching Instagram Without Showing My Face (Until Now). This beautiful and honest post is all about how she practices self-care with her social media use but has recently changed what that self-care looks like for her.
