“If you are looking to optimise the time on social media, whilst making sure it is not taking over your life, learn how to run your accounts like a social media agency.”
Even though we may refuse to admit it, social media can be extremely overwhelming. There are times when the timelines are filled with triggering, sad and devastating topics. It’s very easy to let this stuff consume you mentally, without even knowing it. Our minds can sometimes act like sponges and absorb just about everything. That’s why it’s important to customize your social media to suit your specific needs.
As an empath, it’s in my nature to absorb the emotions around me. This means that social media can easily affect my mental health. I used to delete the applications altogether until a friend of mine introduced me to some features that helped to make it a healthier space. I know for sure that I’m not the only one who is easily consumed by the space around them. But whether or not you’re an empath, it is necessary to make your social media a healthy space, because then you will eliminate social media anxiety or even depression.
Here are 6 ways of making your social media a healthy mental space.
- Use that mute button
Do you know the saying that goes: Out of sight, out of mind? It makes perfect sense. If there’s something that is triggering you, you can always mute that particular word and it won’t appear on your timeline. You can also mute a person and you won’t see them appearing on your timeline ever again. As for Whatsapp, you can archive the chat, and because you won’t have to keep seeing it, you won’t have to think about it. Trust me, it works.
- Regulate the amount of time you spend online
Let’s be honest. Some of us are guilty of spending too much time online. While social media has its benefits, it’s unhealthy to completely focus on it. Why? Because this time could be spent doing something more productive. This isn’t to say that social media is a complete waste of time, in fact, it can be a very useful tool. However, the more time you spend online, the easier it is for you to be consumed by the negativity that is there. That’s why you want to control yourself and reduce your screen time, particularly on specific applications. Signs That You Need To Take A Social Media Hiatus
- Don’t hesitate to block someone
A few weeks back, a friend of mine put up some beautiful pictures on her Instagram. A stranger commented on them saying that women nowadays are fake. The mistake she made was to ask him to elaborate on his comment. This is giving the other party too much power. She was so consumed by his statement that she took the picture down after a few days. This is the problem. There are people who feel so entitled, that they see nothing wrong with coming to your space to bring you down. You don’t have to give them space to air their opinions. You can block them and move on with your life as though they never existed.
- Clean up your accounts
I have always said, you don’t have to follow someone just because you know them. Social media means different things to different people. For some, it’s an intimate space to share their life privately with their friends. For some, it’s a business, and for others, it’s an influential space for their careers. You are the one who gets to define your social media. Because of this, it may be important to clean your account regularly. Unfollow the people who you no longer resonate with and don’t feel guilty about it. If you find that your self-esteem is dwindling because you’re comparing yourself to certain people, unfollow them. Protect your space.
5. Turn off your notifications
I can’t remember the last time I had my notifications on. I find them destructive, and more often than not, there’s nothing on social media that ever requires your urgent attention. I have had confrontations with people because I literally don’t know when they text me, and so I take my sweet time to respond. A friend of mine describes notifications as a breeding ground for anxiety. If you, for example, put up a picture on Instagram, why exactly do you need to know every time someone likes it? Why do you need to know when someone retweets your tweet so urgently? Notifications can be completely unnecessary. Turning them off gives you peace of mind as you go about your daily activities and then when you’re finally in the right headspace, you can access your notifications directly on the site.
6. Take a hiatus
No matter the situation, we have to learn to take care of ourselves without feeling guilty. Because when we are at our best we can do our best and be the best version of ourselves. A social media detox is necessary especially when you feel overwhelmed by the content that’s circulating online. You need a breath of fresh air from the virtual world every once in a while, in order to refocus and even discover new things about yourself. So whether it lasts a week, a month, or six months, if social media is getting to you mentally, you can always leave.
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