While our jobs consume most of our daytime, social media can consume much of our downtime. Resting after work is great, but we often find ourselves stimulating our mind during rest by scrolling social media. These platform’s feeds feel endless – you think you’re settling in for 10 minutes of phone time and then before you know it, an hour has passed. This shows us that staying mentally healthy on social media must be done with intention! That’s why we created this list of 6 Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy on Social Media!
Social media algorithms may push content that induces emotions in viewers, including both positive and negative feelings. Positivity arises when you see a cute kitten video or delicious recipe. But when negative categories such as “rage bait” gain popularity, it’s important now more than ever to practice mindfulness on social media.
Here are 6 tips to help you stay mentally grounded while having a social media presence. But first, let’s understand exactly why these tips are necessary.
Platforms Want to Engage Viewers
Social media platforms are all looking for one simple thing – engagement. The more views, likes, and comments a post receives, the more favorability it has within their algorithm. Certain factors matter, such as cursing. For example, a video is not likely to be recommended if there are curse words or immodest content within the first few moments.
This does not mean negative content cannot get popular, however. Fighting scenes or negative public interactions often go viral simply due to engagement. Some creators on platforms take this into account, sometimes creating what is known as “rage bait”, or content that will knowingly induce negative feelings in viewers. Realizing that their content will upset some people, creators will post the content with intent to maximise views. Unfavorable reactions from viewers then drive likes, comments, and shares.
Of course, positive content also generates views, likes, and comments. Both exist on social media platforms. The more you engage with one type of content, the more curated your homepage will be to your tastes. Interact with positive content if that is what you want to see regularly!
Comparison is in Our Nature
Some of us may only follow friends and family on social media. This is such a beautiful way of keeping in touch with lots of people at once! One thing that may diminish that beauty is by constantly comparing the pace and outcome of your life to those in your circle.
Maybe an old friend got engaged sooner than you and your relationship. Perhaps a coworker went on a family vacation while you worked overtime. It’s important to remember that we are all on our own journey in life. There are great things happening all around us, so peering through that positive lens is important for gaining the confidence to say, “I’m just fine where I am”.
You’ll take your own deserved vacation in due time. Marriage can be in your future if you want it. And likely, someone will be jealous of your posts when the time comes! Everyone has feelings of envy, and everyone has something for others to be envious of. Focus on yourself and your own self-care to feel your best instead. Staying grounded and thankful for what you have helps quiet that comparative voice in our heads. And of of course, we understand the biblical importance of not walking in jealousy, envy, or covetousness. God’s timing over everything should be our heart posture.
Tips for Good Mental Health on Social Media
Follow these 6 simple tips to influence positive mental health for your best social media experience.
Limit Social Media Time
Many aspects of our lives are interwoven into our phones – banking info, health trackers, and music to name a few. While avoiding your phone completely is hard, it’s important to specifically limit time on social media scrolling. They don’t call it “doom scrolling” for nothing. Doom scrolling is when one is so tied to negative news or topics, they will scroll for hours for more information. To keep yourself away from the negativity, try limiting your social media time to one hour per day, filling your time with other fulfilling or productive activities.
Interact with Positive Content
Social media algorithms want to show you your content preferences so that you stay on their app for longer. While you’re there, interact with positive content so that the algorithm learns that is what you prefer to see. Over time, your feed will start to show more content that fits your engagement activity. Positive viewing means better mental health on social media.
Follow Folks Who Inspire
Who you follow also determines what your main feed looks like. Try to follow positive and inspiring content creators that push for a better world. They may inspire you to create positive content or perform an act of service to others!
Realize People Only Share Their Best
Social media profiles are stocked with the best images of one’s life with the nicest filters on top of it. While it may look like someone is living a happy life, remember that people only share their most joyous photos and videos. Much more is always going on behind the scenes, just like your own life. Everyone has their ups and downs, so remember that when viewing anyone’s profile.
Be Intentional with Your Scrolling
Scrolling social media on autopilot is the fastest way to drain your free time. Scrolling with the intention of having a time limit may inspire you to use your social media time more wisely. Maybe you’ll check out what your cousin is up to that week, or send a nice message to your friend across the country. Once you do what you need to do, log off!
Engage in Hobbies IRL
Many would say that phone scrolling is a hobby in itself. However, good mental health on social media means that you know when to move on from scrolling. Participate in hobbies that you love instead, whether it’s a sport, knitting, gardening, or something else. It doesn’t have to be a daily occurrence! Maybe make bowling plans one day and read a book outside another.
Social media is a place for the world to come together and communicate. However, there are some good mental health practices that you can incorporate into your day to stay positive. Limit your phone time, engage with positivity, take every post with a grain of salt, and remember to that God loves you no matter what—–for everything else is vanity.
