Three Tips to Manage Your Social Media & Mental Health This Fall 

In the age of social media, it can be hard to image a time before daily vlogs and doom scrolling. While social media has transported far corners of the globe to our fingertips, it has brought with it important considerations when taking care of mental health. As a content creator and mental health clinician, finding a balance between posting and putting the phone away is a balance I strive for and at times can also struggle with.

Social media, the use of digital communication and online community can provide connection, support, education, a space for creative expression and a plethora of entertainment. Many online creators use their platform internationally to reduce mental health, promote body positivity, wellness, and advocate seeking help. While social media can help us in many ways, overuse can also have negative impacts.

Despite the ease of online communication, social media content can evoke negative emotions, feelings of isolation, unrealistic expectations and painful comparisons. What’s more, passively finding ourselves scrolling on social media can further drain any hopeful benefits, impacting our concentration and sleep.

To help support positive mental health and social media use this fall, Child Family Institute and I have found 3 tips to stay on the positive side of social media.

1. Experiment with a cut back period
The best way to look at your social media mental health is by testing out some content management. Try turning off your social media notifications and track your usage time. This will help avoid those mid-meeting interruptions. At the end of your week, take a look at how often you scrolled (without judgment!)

2. Shift to more active engagement
Passive social media can increase those feelings of loneliness. Engaging, commenting, collaborating and sharing with friends gives more opportunity for connecting in a positive way. Embrace your creative self!

3. Be curious
Remember that social media does not dissect content for credibility. With the influx of AI generated content, it is important to be a smart social media consumer. Double check sources and consider misinformation before sharing.

Whether you are posting a new smoothie recipe, or sharing this week’s viral video to your sibling, remember that these 3 tips from Child Family Institute can help you stay on the positive side of social media.