If your screen time is way higher than it should be, you’re not alone. And, I’m willing to bet that a large percentage of the time you’re on your phone is spent scrolling through social media. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, you name it; there’s no denying that social media is a huge part of our lives. As great as it is to have constant access to information from all over the world, this 24/7 stream of posts and Tweets can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to guide your social media habits to maintain your mental health and protect your sanity.
Be selective about who you follow
If a post appears on your feed that makes you feel anything less than amazing, unfollow the account without a second thought. Your judgmental family member tweets in a way that makes you cringe? Pictures of your ex-best friend make you feel all sorts of emotions you’d rather not? A certain influencer’s seemingly perfect life makes you insecure about your own? Slam that unfollow button. You are completely in control of whose content you see every day, so be selective and curate your feed in a way that makes your life better.
Limit your time on social media
Let’s be honest, time spent on social media apps could most likely be better spent. How often do you procrastinate your work or hobbies by scrolling through your Instagram or Twitter feed? Or push back your bedtime because you’re down a YouTube rabbit hole? It may be hard to change your screen time habits because they’re so ingrained in your daily routine, but making the effort to stay off social media apps will make you happier in the long run. When you get the desire to spend time on one, ask yourself why you have that urge and figure out something else to satisfy it. Maybe a healthy snack, leisurely walk, or quick nap would leave you feeling more rested and refreshed than time spent on TikTok would.
Take a social media detox
Spend a day, a week, a month, or more away from all forms of social media. Delete the apps so you’re not tempted to use them. You likely spend hours each day scrolling through a sea of others’ content, so it’s important to remind yourself that you have a full life outside of your social media accounts. If you think completely deleting all social media apps sounds impossible or extreme, or if you think you could do it but can’t imagine wanting to, then you’re the exact type of person who needs this detox most. Try it out — you may enjoy the freedom more than you expect!