![]() Are you using social media to make a connection? Or are you simply logging in out of habit or boredom? It’s easy to get caught up scrolling mindlessly through social media, so remember to check your intentions. “Use apps like Screen Time or RescueTime to gain more awareness of your relationship with social media,” Kaye suggests.Ĭonsider why you’re checking your feed and how you feel afterwards. Be mindful of how often you actually open your apps and how long you use them. Leave judgment out of the equation and simply take stock. In order to set new goals, it’s helpful to consider and observe your current habits. “The first step to setting new boundaries is to be fully aware of your old ones,” says Kaye.“See what you like and don't like about your relationship with social media.” Setting social media boundaries may help you do something you enjoy even more, like talking to friends, playing catch with your dog, or adding healthy habits to your life!” “Time off social media is time we spend living our own lives, instead of comparing ours to those others. Plus, limiting your social media use will free up time for other activities. ![]() Likewise, individuals who have taken breaks from social media have reported improvements in mood, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being. A 2018 study found that reducing social media use to 30 minutes a day leads to lower levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and trouble sleeping. Though it can take some work, making an effort to adopt healthy social media habits can significantly improve your mental health. It’s also been linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Over time, this can take a toll on your emotional well-being, leading to feelings of burnout, hopelessness, anger, or fear. Constant exposure to these stressful stories sends the body into high alert or flight-or-fight mode, triggering a stress response. Whether you’re looking to stay up to date on the latest information or just simply stumble upon a negative story, it’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of troubling or worrisome social media and news content. It can also contribute to poor body image and low-self esteem.īeyond self-comparison, social media can also be detrimental to our mental health by way of “doom scrolling” or excessive consumption of bad news. Studies have shown that this social comparison via social media sites is associated with higher levels of depression and loneliness. The constant exposure to others’ highlight reels can be damaging, leading to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and exclusion. ![]() As people tend to only showcase the positive moments online, leaving out the negative, we end up comparing our true reality to these false, manicured ones. We’re constantly observing others’ lives from afar, being bombarded with updates on their achievements and successes. In a world where people’s lives are on full display online, there are endless opportunities for comparison. However, it doesn’t always support a sense of belonging. WIth the ability to reach anyone throughout the world in the matter of seconds, these platforms have created a type of global community. ![]() As mentioned earlier, social media can be a great connective tool. ![]()
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