Mental Health and Social Media

Social media and our mental health are deeply connected. Social media is all around us. On the whole, it is a positive force on society, but we have to be wary of how it impacts our mental health. Due to both the pandemic and recent social upheaval at home and abroad, the phenomenon of ‘Doomscrolling’ (addiction to anxiety-provoking news) has spiked. The danger lies in feeling socially obligated to keep up with current affairs. However, many of us forget that social media is designed to be addictive. The problem is compounded by the fact that we have been confined to our homes, where our gadgets often serve as the go-to cure for boredom.

Tips on Using Social Media

However crucial it may be to pay attention to the news, we have to keep an eye on our mental and emotional wellbeing. For those of us struggling with our mental health, remember to:

• Set a limit to the amount of time online. the unhealthiest times are first thing in the morning, and up to an hour before falling asleep.
• Unfollow accounts that don’t make you feel good and mute keywords that trigger or upset you. Instead, follow inspiring and happy accounts that create positive emotion.
• Be careful about the level of trust you put in news sources. Many feel there is more authentic reporting on social media than mainstream outlets. However, we must ask ourselves what the intent is behind the information – are they qualified to make their assertions, and are they backed up by similarly reputable bodies?
• Watch your reactions and replies to comments – there is no use in engaging with internet trolls whose sole ambition is to aggravate.
• Keep in mind that carefully curated social media pages are not the truth, and are heavily edited.
• Consider alternative mediums such as podcasts to give your eyes a break.