Social Media and Mental Health. Back after a little break and I wanted to share some thoughts. I still struggle with anxiety and depression and have learned that social media really doesn’t help. The constant comparison to seemingly perfect lives, perfect bodies and perfect diets. The lack of real human connection. Feeling like you need to share everything and take the ‘perfect photo’. It’s a recipe for making people feel unhappy and anxious! The screen time is also awful for sleep and attention spans! It can be very overwhelming so here is what you should remember – social media is a highlight reel and for me it’s what I use to grow my brand. It’s not real life. No ones life is perfect! If you think it’s not doing you any good then here is what I suggest.
1- Break the habit and replace it with something new. Take a few days off social media. Delete the apps off your phone. Use this new found time to do work or do something fun.
2- Don’t take photos and videos of everything and save special moments just for yourself. Relationships are something I don’t think I would ever share on here. I w ant to keep that just for myself.
3- Continued from the last point. Don’t take pictures of everything you eat! Not every meal needs to be Instagram worthy. Some days I eat toast for dinner and eat ‘unhealthy’ foods. Food is fuel. You don’t need a perfect diet it just needs to balanced. I really think this can lead to disordered earring! And social media is part of the rise in eating disorders such as orthorexia.
4- Stop the constant scrolling. On a train, with friends, waiting for something. Put your phone down and read some books or look at the world around you. You’ll learn a lot more.
5- Question why you use social media, do you really need it? Personally I’m starting to just use it for my personal brand(s) and connect with people who are doing something similar to me. It’s ok to use it sometimes just try and make sure you don’t overdo it and only use it in a positive way.
Don’t spend your life watching other people live theirs or pretending to be happy. Just get off your phone and enjoy every single moment.
