Anxiety in the Age of Social Media: How to Stay Grounded in a Hyperconnected World
Navigating the world of online social media can be anxiety-inducing if you don’t pace yourself. Nowadays, many people utilize social media for their work. Unfortunately, some of those who rely on social media for work may have difficulty disconnecting once the workday ends. This may not seem like a big issue initially, but social media can become an addiction. If you feel like this is already happening to you or if you want to avoid the possibility of becoming addicted, try these simple tips to remain grounded when dealing with social media.
Keep A Schedule Of When You Have To Be “On”
It’s natural to want to look at the comments after a long work day or if you’re just excited about a post you made. However, giving yourself an allotted time window for this would be way healthier than constantly checking and rechecking the post. Having dedicated time to mess with social media and checking comments would also make it much easier for you to sign off. The trick is to stick to that particular timeframe. Don’t sign back on just because you saw a new comment. It can always be viewed later or the next day.
Leave Your Phone At Home, Sometimes
If you’re really burned out on social media and constantly being connected, you can always leave your phone behind. If you’re taking a quick trip to the grocery store or something else that will take a little time, this could be a great way to disconnect and refresh. You likely won’t have an emergency for such a short trip. Even if that does occur, someone will leave a voicemail for you to get the information later.
Try Disconnecting For Longer Periods Of Time
This suggestion is for those who want to go hardcore and don’t have to use social media for a living. If social media is causing that much anxiety, try disconnecting from it for a day. As you become more comfortable with the concept, try increasing the amount of time you disconnect.
Try Not To Let The Comments Get To You
One big reason people experience anxiety when engaging in social media is the comments section. Often, people think that they can say whatever they want just because they are behind a screen. The important thing to remember about the comments section is that these people don’t know you. You will more than likely never meet them in person, and it takes more energy to stress about the comments than it does to ignore them.
Fill That Time With Something You Enjoy
Do you know what’s a lot more refreshing than fretting over social media? The answer is anything else. Fill the time you would be “doom scrolling” with things you enjoy. Read a book, go for a walk, play with your pet, or watch a movie. Time will pass, and you will feel much happier than you would when you were scrolling through your phone.
You Can Ground Yourself
Social media has been known to control people, especially influencers. Don’t let that happen to you. This is an easy way to remove stress from your life, and even better, avoid adding to it. Social media consumption and the anxiety that it can bring is 100% avoidable with a little discipline.
If your anxiety persists, it may not be social media. You could have an actual anxiety disorder. If that is the case, seeking professional help is advisable. Social media addiction can be fixed. You don’t have to let it consume you. If you would like to learn more about social media and disconnect from it, feel free to contact me.