Keep your mental health in mind when reading and sharing.
The jury is still out about whether social media can make you depressed or increase anxiety. But if you think your feed is zapping your mood, try these tips.
- Stick to a schedule. Decide what times you’ll check social media and for how long. Also, find times to keep social media on the sideline like when you’re hanging out with friends or before bedtime. Having your phone out while talking to someone can influence how they feel about their time with you, and staring at the screen before bedtime can make falling asleep harder.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Think your friend’s life looks perfect? Or your co-worker never has a care in the world? Think again. We tend to post our highlight reels, and those don’t usually show when we’re ugly crying in the bathroom. So, stop the negative self-talk and use those posts you admire as inspiration and motivation.
- Check yourself. If you’re already feeling down, seeing someone else’s vacay pics or political posts probably won’t help. Try doing something to boost your mood like a walk, in-person time with a friend or a (non-social media) hobby. And if notifications stress you out, turn them off or delete the app. It’s that easy.
If you’ve taken these tips to heart and you’re still feeling blue or stressed, it might be a good idea to talk to someone. Your primary care doctor is the best place to start.
Caring for your mental and emotional well-being is important. Make sure you’re taking the right steps for you.
Sources: bbc.com, mentalhealthscreening.org
