My phone case has a message saying “social media seriously harms your mental health,” and it’s becoming a trend among celebrities. I’m pretty familiar with social media anxiety. I’ve written about SMAD, the link between social media and weight gain or anxiety, and how playing the comparison game briefly dented my confidence. I managed to move past it after blogging about it.
Recently, I asked my Instagram followers about their concerns with anxiety, and unsurprisingly, social media—especially Instagram—was a recurring topic. It seems to be causing a lot of stress nowadays. Social media is not disappearing any time soon, and its future is unpredictable (check out Black Mirror’s “Nosedive” episode for a wild prediction). Today, instead of dwelling on the negatives of social media, I’d like to share some helpful tips from myself and other bloggers to better balance your online and real life.
Here are six tips for balancing your social media habits and real life to support your mental and physical well-being:
1. **Audit Your Feed**
Clean up your social media by unfollowing accounts that don’t uplift you. When browsing, make sure to consume positive content so that when you finish, you leave with an upbeat mindset. Follow influencers who emphasize health, wellness, or simply provide some good laughs.
Some feel-good accounts I like:
– **@jengotch**: The founder of bando, she’s a significant voice in mental health and is also fun and relatable. Her podcast is great too because it involves no screen time!
– **@indyblue**: She’s hilarious and creates inspiring content. Her posts are authentic and fresh.
– **@tinygentleasians**: A collection of adorable chubby Asian babies’ photos. If babies aren’t your thing, maybe puppy accounts will brighten your feed!
– **@theminimalistbaker**: Healthier food accounts inspire me to eat better, and they’re visually pleasing. This one has easy and beautiful recipes.
2. **How Top Bloggers Take Breaks**
Taking breaks is essential. Many bloggers have extra content stored for when they need a pause. I have a “rainy day” folder on my phone with spare photos ready to go. This saves time for when you just can’t be online constantly.
3. **Be in the Now, Post Later**
Enjoy the moment and post your photos the next day. It’s not uncommon to see bloggers snapping photos but waiting to post later. This approach lets you be present at events and gatherings without being glued to your phone.
4. **Practice One Self-Care Activity Daily**
Recently, a doctor emphasized the importance of daily self-care to me. Previously, work always came first, and I felt guilty taking time for myself. But now I understand the need to prioritize self-care, whether it’s a short meditation, a workout, or simply a moment to relax.
I use the Aloe Bud app to keep me on track with self-care. It provides reminders to engage in activities like mindful breathing and expressing gratitude.
5. **Block Comment Keywords on Instagram**
Negative comments can hurt your mood. Use Instagram’s comment keyword block feature to prevent this negativity from affecting you longer than necessary.
6. **Limit Blue Light Exposure**
My doctor advised me to reduce blue light exposure by 10 p.m. It can mess with your circadian rhythm, impacting your sleep and overall health. Limiting screen time in the evening, using night mode settings, or getting blue-light-blocking glasses are helpful strategies. I also found the Moment App, which helps track and reduce screen time and offers features to improve focus and well-being.
These are just a few ways to keep your online and offline life balanced for a healthier mind and body.