5 Tips for When Social Media Has You Down in the Dumps
Feb 14, 2023
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Most people have a love-hate relationship with social media. It’s used by many as a creative outlet and a way to connect with friends and family both near and far. However, it comes with quite a few downsides as well.For starters, cyberbullying happens more often than it should on social media platforms — then there are the heated arguments with random strangers. And when users start comparing their lives to their friends’ filtered vacation pix, they feel pressure to achieve the same perfection.
Given these realities, it’s no wonder social media can be flat-out bad for your mental health. While you don’t need to give up Instagram cold turkey, you should take note when social media becomes too much. Here are five tips to lift your spirits when social media has you feeling down.
1. Check on Your Mental Health
A large majority of people will experience mental health issues at some point in their life. Social media certainly doesn’t help when you’re dealing with anxiety or depression. If you have a mental health disorder or feel that you may be struggling with one, make sure that you take the time to treat it appropriately. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time on social platforms, where FOMO is a constant threat.
Fortunately, if you know that you’re struggling with mental illness, treating it doesn’t have to be hard. Set up an appointment with a therapist virtually if necessary. Or if you feel that you may need medication, consult a healthcare provider. You can even find mental health treatment online and get any necessary prescriptions delivered to your door in no time, if deemed appropriate.
2. Take a Break From Social Media
Sometimes people get so caught up using social media that they forget about the important things in their actual lives. There’s nothing wrong with taking a step back to focus on what really matters to you. Whether you take a break for a few weeks, a few days, or just a few hours, it’ll be beneficial. A break can help you rest, refocus, and re-energize.
Some people use social media to monetize their following, while others use it just to stay in touch with people. Perhaps you can use your time away from the screen to figure out exactly what you want from social media. Alternatively, you can use the time to work on other goals in your life. When you disconnect from the cyber world to focus on life in the real one, you’ll feel so much better. Not only will the break feel nice, but it will show you there’s much more to life than how it appears on your feed.
3. Talk to Someone Who Can Help
Sometimes when you’re feeling down in the dumps, all you need is someone who will listen. Talking to family, friends, or anyone else who cares about you may be exactly what you need. Just let it all out, and explain exactly what’s been bothering you and why social media has you feeling down.
Hopefully, whomever you choose to talk to can offer not just a listening ear, but also some good advice. At the very least, your loved ones are a great distraction from social media. You can spend IRL time with them until you’re ready to face the metaverse again.
4. Stay Busy
Taking a break from social media sounds like a great idea, but it’s easier said than done. It can be difficult to break old habits, even if you know it’s for the best. That’s why you need hobbies and distractions to keep you busy. Otherwise, you may be destined to stay addicted to social media forever.
Don’t just resort to your usual diversions (going out for drinks, watching TV, etc.). Instead, think outside of the box. Pick up healthy hobbies that can happily keep you occupied while also improving your mental health. For example, you might pick up yoga or meditation as a form of self-care. Perhaps you could spend time doing art projects to destress. Whatever distractions you decide on, make sure they keep you busy and your mind worry-free.
5. Get a Journal to Brain Dump
Even if you’re turning to loved ones, talking to a therapist, or doing both, consider journaling. Sometimes you just need to get all the bad stuff out in order to feel better mentally. This is exactly what a journal can be used for — to brain dump and put what’s on your mind onto paper.
Journaling also provides you with an opportunity to be creative. Using it to doodle or write a haiku can be a great option if you’d rather not talk about why you’re feeling down. If you need a spark of inspiration to get started, seek out a journal with prompts. The right guided journal can be a good distraction and also improve your mental health — the perfect combo.
Social media is a great tool for connecting and creating, but it has its darker side. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to your mental health if you use social media. If you take care of yourself, you can enjoy all the life updates, funny memes, and cat videos it has to offer. Being on social media platforms won’t destroy your mental health — it’s how you handle them that really matters.
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