How To Practice Self-Care When Scrolling Through Social Media

Many people consider scrolling through social media as part of their self-care routines. After all, these apps make keeping contact with long-distance friends and family easier, and many posts can be inspirational, informative and entertaining. During the pandemic in 2020, social media helped people feel more connected, even when they were unable to visit others in person. Unfortunately, there is also a downside to social media, and if you're not careful, it can negatively impact your mental health. Practicing social media self-care is a proactive way to still enjoy the benefits of social media without letting it affect your well-being.

Keep the Good Vibes Going

Decide who inspires you with great ideas, makes you laugh, and keeps things authentic, and only follow accounts that make you feel good. Remember, you are in charge of the content you view online, so take the time to tailor your news feed and unfollow accounts that don't uplift you. Find content with values that align with your own so you feel recharged when you put the phone down. Some social media accounts can be triggering, and negative social media and mental health go hand in hand. If any accounts on your feed stir up feelings of anxiety or sadness, stop following them. Lightening your mental load will work wonders for your mood and your mindset.

Make Limits With Your Social Media Use and Stick to Them

One of the main flaws with social media is that there is no break. Notifications pop up throughout the day, and the temptation to quickly log on and check out the latest content is always there. While a few minutes catching up with your friends' activities isn't a big deal, it can be very easy to slide down that rabbit hole. The healthiest way you can set a limit on your internet use is to put a timer on your apps. For example, you could set an alarm on your phone or install an app that will block notifications for a specific time. A short social media detox can be just what you need to elevate your well-being and lower your stress so you can start focusing on other priorities.

Spend Your Downtime Wisely

Some people's lives revolve around their social media feeds, and they spend most of their time uploading perfect pictures of their daily activities. Unfortunately, this mindset shifts the focus from living in the moment to living for the "likes" and "views" online. When you "live to post," you let life pass you by. It's hard to stay present when you're overly concerned with getting the perfect angle for your newsfeed. 

After you've decided to log off your accounts, spend your downtime wisely. You could rediscover some of your favorite hobbies, take a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air or call an old friend and meet up for a cup of coffee. Find other ways to fill up your time, and you'll soon discover you're too busy living your own life and prioritizing your needs to worry about the latest Instagram or Facebook posts on your feed.

Resist Comparing Yourself to Others

Social media is a powerfully dynamic tool that can positively affect your life if you use it wisely. However, it can also cause issues if you aren't careful. The fear of missing out and negative social comparison are common feelings that result from too much scrolling, and they can get worse if you fail to do something about it. Remember that what someone posts online is a highlight reel of their actual life. Sometimes, it appears as though their lives are more exciting than they are. 

Although challenging, try not to base your life choices on what you see online. Be authentic and stay true to yourself and your values by focusing on your personal goals, not those of others. It's easy to lose sight of what is real if you spend too much time scrolling. Remember, people do not typically broadcast their difficult times, and most posts they make are to attract attention.

Practice Gratitude Throughout Your Day

Sometimes, the best way to feel better about your life is to stop and take a moment to practice gratitude. Show appreciation for those people and things that are meaningful or valuable to you. Focusing on positive things can boost your mood and make you feel better about your circumstances. You can do this by simply waking up each morning and listing five things you are grateful for. You can also incorporate gratitude into your bedtime routine by writing your list in a journal. Sometimes, it's easy to take all of the good parts of your life for granted, especially when you're busy. By taking a second to stop, savor, and absorb the positive, you'll focus less energy on what others are doing on social media and more time enjoying the present.

Clear Out Your Friends List

If you find yourself experiencing negative thoughts when scrolling through social media, it might be time to clear out your “friends” list. Your social media feed is populated by the people that you follow. Their statuses, likes, and photos make up what you see every day. If their social media isn’t beneficial to you —or worse—is causing you harm, then it’s time to unfollow them. 

Go through your social media accounts and review each connection. Ask yourself the following questions: 

Do their posts lift you up? 

Do they share helpful information? 

Would you like to see what’s going on in their lives each day? 

If the answer is no to these questions, then you should unfollow them. 

Be on the Lookout for Social Media Fatigue

While relaxing and spending time on social media can be a fun self-care activity, it's important to recognize when to take a break. Social media fatigue can occur when you spend too much time on social media sites, have too many followers or friends, and spend more time maintaining online connections than your actual relationships in real life. 

So what are the symptoms of social media fatigue? Well, if you're feeling overwhelmed, distracted, and stressed due to your online habits, it's probably time to take a break. Stop scrolling and put your phone in a different room or somewhere out of sight. Find other ways to connect with people outside the internet and reconsider whether you want to keep your social media apps.

Final Thoughts 

Remember, just a little bit of self-care can go a long way, especially regarding social media. What you see online is not necessarily reality, and people have much more going on in their lives than what they share on their social media. By prioritizing your mental health and becoming more attuned to your scrolling habits, you'll start to understand when it's time to put the phone down and focus on other things.