“It came, it saw, it conquered”
Social media came dashing into our lives and quickly became an integral part of it. Now we cannot imagine our world without it. Yes, it turned the world into a global village connecting people from all walks of life, across boundaries and oceans, and served as a space for self-expression. But as its usage increased, the platforms also kept growing. Along with the benefits, it also brought a lot of challenges, especially for our mental well-being.
So, let’s discover the ways to balance social media and mental health:
1. Social media is only the highlights
In cricket, there are three formats. The longest format is a test match which runs for five whole days and the shortest is a T20 match which is only of 3 hours and its highlights are only 30 minutes. Our daily life is like that five-day test match; slow and monotonous, but the content that we see about celebrities and their life is like the highlights of T20 matches. It shows a very small part of their daily life which is also repetitive.
The comparison of our entire lives with just a sneak peek of an influencer’s life is not fair. You need to understand what is projected on digital media is only a small part of the life of people and they have a lot of things that they go through which does not get showcased on it.
2. Do not compare
The first reaction of the mind while scrolling on digital platforms is not appreciation enjoyment or entertainment, it is comparison. It is a natural tendency to compare ourselves, what we are doing, and where we are in life with the lives of our friends, our family, our colleagues, or even celebrities and influencers. If we continue to rely on virtual parameters of success, it will lead to a lot of dissatisfaction, and frustration and can also lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. So, it is very important to restrict that comparison and fear of missing out. There is no need to constantly project that we are happy in order to hide our insecurities.
3. Find your tribe
One of the numerous benefits of social media is that there are a lot of communities out there. You can easily find a community where there are like-minded people who share common interests hobbies and perspectives toward life with you. It is safe and a fun way to join such a community share your true feelings and get to see the true side of people. You will learn amazing things about yourself and others.
4. Stay away from toxic content
Unfortunately, networking sites are also doomed with a lot of toxic content which can be extremely harsh if you are already struggling with something in your life. For example, if you see negativity around health topics or weight loss and you’re already struggling with your weight management, then you should avoid such channels. Even if you stumble upon a small post or piece of content that does not vibe with you and triggers negative thoughts in your mind, just stay away from it. Withdraw yourself from it. You do not need to consume content that does not make you feel good or causes harm to you.
5. Limit the use and learn to prioritize
There are numerous apps on our phones, so you need to identify which are absolutely necessary for you and which ones are not. If possible, manage with just one or two platforms. But if that is difficult then be very mindful about the platform you sign into. The kind of content you get involved with directly affects your mindset. Your thought pattern in turn influences your actions and ultimately your life will go in the same direction. You should be careful about what content you consume if you want to design your life and your day in a way that feels good.
6. Don’t be overdependent
Social media can serve only three purposes: education, entertainment, and inspiration. It cannot satisfy your needs and it cannot give you happiness. The sooner you realize this, the better for you. Do not rely on a house of cards for your mental stability and do not expect it to give satisfaction and happiness. You have to take responsibility for this.
7. Look for inspiration
You can get a lot of ideas and inspiration from what other people are doing with their lives and careers. Avoid blind following of trends and don’t look for the ultimate map of your life.
8. Stay away from the rat race
It is very easy to get into the obsession of following trends, making viral videos or photos, and chasing likes, views, comments, followers, or subscribers. You don’t need to enter into it even if your livelihood depends on it. Be selective about what and how much you share about your life publicly. Learn to respect your privacy and sanity. Do not go for the numbers endlessly.
9. Socialize in the real world
Get out of your phone and go to the real world, find real friends. Meet the friends you find online in person and try to have conversations, go for outings, and enjoy with your family, friends, and colleagues in nearby places. Interact with the real world as much as or more than what you do on social media. This will keep you in the present moment and sane.
Conclusion
Learn to benefit from social media in a way that serves you and not in a way that goes against you. Be grateful for your blessings and prioritize. Don’t get lost in the fancy world of social media and try to run behind an ideal version of being that is projected. You are awesome the way you are!
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