Improve your mental health with a few changes to your social media diet.
Do you find yourself constantly scrolling through your social media feeds? Or checking your phone throughout the day for no reason? Studies show you’re not alone. In 2016 Apple reported that the average iPhone user unlocks their phone about 80 times a day—and since then, social media use has increased dramatically.
Today more and more people rely on social media platforms to stay in touch with friends and family. But this convenient way to stay connected can come at a price. A 2020 review by the National Institutes of Health found that social media use can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress in some users.1 The following strategies can help you limit screen time and maintain a better balance in your life.
Curate a positive experience
There are only so many hours in the day, so consider what’s the best use of your time and mental energy. Try to make your social media experience a more positive one, following people and accounts you find inspiring or focused on subjects you find interesting. By carefully curating your social media experience you can avoid being overwhelmed with information that depresses you or doesn’t apply to your life.
Declutter your accounts
If there are accounts or users whose posts tend to cause anxiety, consider unfollowing them, or at least muting them for 30 days. This can help you declutter your mind, and if you find you don’t miss seeing those accounts in your feed, you never have to hear from them again. Remember, you aren’t required to stay connected to anyone on social media, including people you haven’t had a relationship with since high school.
Engage selectively
People love to argue on social media, but you don’t have to respond to every post you disagree with. Engaging with hot-topic, polarizing discussions can quickly turn into furious verbal disputes—and words posted in the heat of the moment can have real-world ramifications, like falling out with a family member or friend, losing a job, or giving potential employers a negative view of your character.
Find ways to decompress and unplug
If you’re in the habit of checking social media every night before bed, consider if this is a good way to help you relax. Try replacing that habit with something else, like reading a book, taking a hot bath, or watching a movie. To help you resist temptation, think about leaving your phone in another room instead of having it right next to your bed.
Take a break
You can also take occasional breaks from social media—whether it’s for a day, a week, or longer. Start by giving yourself a cutoff point an hour or two before bedtime. Numerous research studies have found that blue light exposure and overstimulation from screen use decrease the quantity and quality of sleep.
Find your social media balance through LifeSolutions®
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1 Karim, Fazida, et al. “Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review.” The National Institutes of Health. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7364393/