Social media has lots of positive attributes; connecting us with other people around the world, providing a platform to share thoughts and information and much more. I love social media. I use it in both my personal and professional life. But it also has the ability to have a significant negative impact, in a variety of ways.
Three of the most common examples that I often hear from clients are 1) wasting a lot of time scrolling through apps, 2) creating insecurities and the impulse to compare ourselves to others and 3) seeking superficial praise and reassurance through post likes and shares. Consequences from these behaviors can range from annoying to much more serious issues.
Here are 4 tips to reduce and manage some of the consequences of social media use:
Set some kind of a limit on the frequency and duration that you allow yourself to engage in social media daily, and then stick to it. Maybe you only get to scroll through each app (or a few of them) once/daily, you set a daily time limit on how long you get to spend in the social media world or you only check it during a certain time of the day, like during your lunch break or on your morning commute. This will prevent you from taking a deep dive and accidentally wasting a whole hour.
Post mindfully. What I mean by this is to ask yourself what your intention is before you post. Is it simply to share something for the sake of sharing, to make people smile or share information? That’s great. Be sure to notice when you may be feeling lonely and insecure. Those are times when you may be more likely to post because you’re seeking connection or reassurance. Be aware that the number of post likes you get and comments you receive are not an indicator of your worth. Using them as such often only leads to further feelings of emptiness.
Be intentional about who you follow. Don’t follow people or accounts who create feelings of insecurity and don’t use social media to compare yourself to others. If you notice that you consistently feel bad after viewing certain types of posts, unfollow! Remember, all social media is curated and does not represent reality.
Take a break. It doesn’t have to be forever, but sometimes taking a break is the best approach. Give yourself time to detox and refocus on other areas of life. If this suggestion seems impossible to you, ask yourself why. What will you miss? What will happen if you don’t post for a while? Be curious about what you uncover in asking this of yourself.
If you found this article helpful, if you struggle with feeling insecure, lonely and comparing yourself to others, make an appointment with me today. I can help.