Social Media Changed the World
Social networking sites have changed the landscape of human interaction in irrevocable ways. We are more connected with old friends, classmates, and long distanced family members than at any other time in recent history. The platforms that we use daily allow us to find communities of people from all over the globe who share our passions. Through social media marketing, small businesses and brands can grow more rapidly than with traditional marketing. Likewise, as consumers, we can discover more products and services that align with who we are and what we want. On top of all of that, social media provides us with an endless amount of entertainment, news, and information.
As a social media marketing team, we appreciate all the platforms for their unique assets but we also recognize that there are negative consequences to social media as well.
Social Media and Mental Health
Social media is a relatively new technology. Remember Myspace? It was created only 17 years ago! Because of the adolescence of social media, there is not an extensive body of research regarding the long-term effects of overuse and our mental health. Research has been conducted analyzing the short-term effects of high social media use and mental health. A scientific journal entry in the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, Online Social Networking, and Mental Health lists the connections between social media use and depression, lowered self-esteem, and addiction. Likewise, Helpguide.org, a nonprofit mental health, and wellness website digs into the reality that social media can increase feelings of loneliness, FOMO (fear of missing out), and even narcissism.
On top of all of these factors, the recent events in our global, political, and cultural landscape have increased the amount of negativity, trolling, and cyberbullying. Exposure to an unending supply of negative news and opinions on our feeds takes a toll on our well-being in more ways than one.
Social Media Balance
You may be saying, “OK, I get it! How can I help my mental health when I have to be on social media?!”. This is where self-care and mindfulness come in. There are easy and clear steps you can take to keep a healthy and happy balance with your social media consumption. Let’s look at them together:
Give your phone a bedtime. Set a time in the evening that your phone or device gets put away, leaving you with a few hours awake, without a device near you. Also, your device’s “bed” should not be near your bed. Using devices right before you fall asleep and having them closeby significantly hinders a good night’s sleep according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Take thoughtful device breaks. Go on a walk or take a trip to the grocery store and leave your phone at home. Put your phone in a different room when dining with your family. Focus on being present in the moment. Also, we’ve created some helpful phone backgrounds so you can think about why you’re picking up your phone before you slide it open. Download them here! You’ll be surprised how much more you notice without that distraction in your pocket.
Combat negativity by curating your feeds. Unapologetically, remove the people from your feeds that cause you anxiety or leave you feeling drained. Do not be afraid to click the ban button!
Use the WWW method. In an episode of “The Happiness Lab”, Dial D for Distracted, Dr. Laurie Santos speaks with Catherine Price, author of the book, “How to Break Up with Your Phone”, and they discuss the WWW method of mindfulness in regards to phone or device use.
What for? - What am I logging on for?
Why now? - Am I just bored? Am I trying to escape?
What else? - Could I do something more fulfilling with these moments?
Delete your apps. Consider deleting your most addicting social apps off your phone and log-in to them only from your laptop or computer for a set time. Creating this extra step in access will assist in mindful usage.
Track your usage. One final tip, download an app to help track your usage of social media each day or, if you have an iPhone, look at your screen time. Consider how much of that is necessary and how much is scrolling down the rabbit hole.
These are just some of the steps we can take to navigate the virtual world we live in. During an age of uncertainty, the best thing we can do is to take care of ourselves. This month the Betsy Babes will be focusing on weaving self-care and mindfulness into our lives. We hope that you found these tips helpful!