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MENTAL HEALTH: Protecting Your Mental Health on Social Media

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SDSU chapter.

It’s no secret that social media has taken over our lives. It allows us to share our experiences and connect with others. Social media has helped so many people find online communities and created a space for people to express themselves. 

But, it can also be harmful to our mental health when the content starts leading us to compare ourselves to our favorite creators. It’s important to remember when to take a step back and stay present in the moment. Most of you probably have some form of a social media account, so here are some tips to help you practice mindful social media usage and protect your mental health online:

Highlight Reels of Life: 

Remember that social media shows the best parts of someone’s life. It isn’t always real, so it’s important not to compare yourself with everyone else online. Don’t be hard on yourself when everyone looks like they have it all figured out – they probably don’t and you don’t have to either! Everyone has insecurities and hard times. It’s normal! You don’t always see what goes on behind the scenes, so don’t let it get you down!

Watch Your Screen Time:

Don’t forget to be present in the moment and be mindful of your screen time. Social media can be addicting to some people and it can be easy to let life pass you by. It’s important to take time away from your phone and create real-life experiences. Chances are, they’ll be much more influential in your life than an Instagram picture. 

Put Yourself First: 

Don’t be afraid to first yourself first and unfollow accounts that don’t help benefit your well-being. You have control over your feed, so interact with accounts that make you happy. Set your own boundaries!

There are so many pros and cons when it comes to social media. It can be hard to navigate these large platforms, so just remember that if it doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, it’s okay to let it go. Use social media in a way that will benefit you the most and love yourself first!!

Lynn is from Encinitas, CA. She is a junior majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is interested in online and social media communications, media relations, and entertainment journalism. Currently, she is the Director of Internal Affairs of SDSU’s PRSSA chapter and a staff writer for The Daily Aztec. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, bingewatching bad reality TV, creative writing, and reading.