Social media, for most of us, can seem like an endless scrolling session bombarding us with random information almost constantly. One study on 10,904 fourteen-year-olds showed the more social media use related to online harassment, poor sleep, low self-esteem and poor body image; in turn, these related to higher depressive symptom scores. So how do we turn social media to our advantage; how do we stop it from bogging us down rather than lifting us up? Here are some tips on how to get your social media working for your wellness.
FITNESS
Sadly, social media has become a place that can overwhelm our body image issues. The countless pages for fad diets, fit toned bodies, and the likes have been effecting peoples eating habits and self-esteem with recent research showing that greater Instagram use is associated with higher symptoms of anorexia, and even orthorexia nervosa. Why social media does this is probably due to many factors, but I’m going to focus on comparison. I always thought of comparing yourself with others as self-destruction; as you may never be as good at something as someone else is — but something you will no doubt be better than anyone else at — is being yourself! Focus on bettering yourself for you, and at your own pace.
I am continuing my workout and yoga routines, and I find that following Instagram pages full of inspiring yoga poses and workout routines helps my motivation. The first thing I did was to unfollow any accounts that promoted my comparison ‘reflex’ or my procrastination ‘reflex’. Then I filled my feed with inspiring energetic people. Of course, if you are prone to comparing yourself to others, then maybe fill it with accounts with cute designs that show the workouts or teach certain moves via text images. For me, it adds that early morning inspiration for my workouts with my morning coffee! You don’t have to do any of the social media exercises either if you don’t want to, but it might just subconsciously remind you to take more care of your body.
MENTAL HEALTH
We all know the internet and social media can be full of pretty harmful content. Whether its Facebook posts about individual drama, sad or negative Instagram’s or Tweets, or the land of online trolling. Reading and absorbing these things every day is not great for our mental health. Instead, try finding a balance so that not 100% of what you’re reading is draining you. Adding things that bring you joy, my social media is filled with things like: art posts, people dancing, pretty food posts, inspirational quotes, traveller posts, yoga and workout posts and poetry. Of course, we can’t turn a blind eye to all the negative things in the world, I have a lot of posts that talk about environmental issues and political issues too, however, I think adding a cute cat picture here, and there does help boost my spirits.
Also, take a break from posting things. We all know that we receive a boost of dopamine when we see the likes coming in, as Kelly McSweeny says in her article:
“Dopamine is associated with food, exercise, love, sex, gambling, drugs … and now, social media. Variable reward schedules up the ante; psychologist B.F. Skinner first described this in the 1930s. When rewards are delivered randomly (as with a slot machine or a positive interaction on social media), and checking for the reward is easy, the dopamine-triggering behaviour becomes a habit.”
This can become an addiction to the point where you are living a life based solely on what others think of you. I’m no psychologist, but I think we can all agree that this isn’t great for our mental health — instead, focus on creating posts that serve as happy memories, and not fall into the trap that your self-worth is based on how many thumbs up you receive.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
This is something I’ve recently been looking into nurturing in my own wellness journey. I started by using apps like Audible to read up on financial advice, my YouTube also furthers my learning. But I think that something as simple as a useful page on your social media, which gives occasional tips can also help us focus on these things and serve as a reminder to take care of ourselves financially too.
Focus on content that inspires you to save money, think about careers you would love to do and how to make smart investments. Do not go out and add people who make you feel low self-worth because they are highly money-driven and drive around in their (insert expensive car brand here). This will lead you down the comparing rabbit hole again, instead opt for content you can learn from!
CONNECTING WITH FAMILY/ FRIENDS
This is an obvious one, but very necessary. Social media was made to communicate with the people we care about, especially during these COVID-19 times, it has become a wonderful tool for that. Instead of using social media to compare your life with your friends and family, maybe use it to reach out and reconnect with those you haven’t in a while. Arrange meet-ups or group chats through WhatsApp, or get creative and make a fun TikTok together. It can also be used to connect to people’s experience across the globe, we may not have known about prior, and in turn, help shape things like public policy.
ALL IN ALL
One study showed that if we are mindful with our social media by bringing awareness to how much we are using it and how we are using it, it can be a positive for our wellbeing. If you are scrolling for 5 plus hours, try to set allocated times in the day and cut back. Focus in on what content you are absorbing and ask yourself, is this promoting my wellbeing? Or ask yourself, am I learning, laughing, or connecting with others? And if you’re answer isn’t “yes”, then consider removing the posts/social media platform all together (if you feel the need to). I hope this helped guide you towards more mindful social media habits, and I wish you happy, healthy social media-ing!
Jacqueline Renouard
Jacqueline Renouard is a Film and TV Production graduate with a passion for self-improvement. Her passion extends to researching psychology, nutrition and wellbeing through her 8-year yoga and meditation practice, and writing across many different styles.
