It is hard to get away from social media nowadays. It has been part of our lifestyle where we communicate and interact with others. Most of us may also develop love and hate relationships with social media because it is not always the best platform to turn to. Sometimes, it can be a good source of information and entertainment. But sometimes, it can be the most toxic place too. Hence, it is important that you know how to use social media wisely and mindfully so you get the benefits and avoid bad effects from it.
A healthy way in using social media
Social media helps us to stay connected with the world. We can talk with other people regardless of their location. Also, social media has been used as a marketing tool for many businesses now. It is like a double-edged sword so you need to know the best way to use it. Here are some useful tips in using social media healthily, wisely, and mindfully:
Be intentional in using social media
Every individual may use social media for different purpose. Hence, make sure that you have set clear intention before going online. For example, you are going online to catch up with your friends, make plans for the weekend, find some inspiration, find out the latest information around your community, or to just zone out a bit during breaks. This can help you to avoid mindless scrolling that only waste your time and energy.
Develop self-awareness
You will only realize that your way of using social media is unhealthy if you have self-awareness. to develop self-awareness, start to be honest with how social media makes you feel. See if certain outlets make you feel angry, happy, inadequate, guilty, inspired, positive, etc. By knowing how each outlet makes you feel, you know how to make wise choices with your social media use.
Filter out your feeds
To make sure that your feeds are full of something in your interests, you can filter it out. You can customize your newsfeed so it only deliver posts that are in your preferences. Also, do not hesitate to unfollow people who add no value to your life. Then, make sure that you are not engaged with any contents you are not interested in or don’t want to see. It is because the social media algorithm can track your activities and behaviors in using social media to figure out what you like.
Limit your consumption and find alternatives
It is best to limit your consumption of social media because it can consume you. Do not drown yourself reading comment section because some of them can be toxic for your mental health. Limit your social media consumption for only about 10 to 20 minutes. Then, find other alternatives if you use social media a way of escaping. Instead of venting out your anger in social media, it is better to share your feelings in journal, or talk to the people you trust. You can also practice self-care more so you are not reliant to social media.
