Is Social Media Stressing You Out? Here Is a Quick Guide To Self-Care

Do you always feel the need to be active on Facebook and Instagram so that you don’t miss out on anything? Do you frequently check in with what people post, what they are wearing, what they bought, ate, or where they went? Do you get flooded with posts about the “perfect body”, “perfect life”, and “perfect image”?

If this is how you feel, then it might be time to re-think how you are using social media in order to avoid stress.

Illustration by Carley Uys

According to the Datareportal Global Overview report, the number of social media users exceeded 50% of the world’s population. Moreover, as mobile devices offer flexibility and ease-of-use, online usage is shifting towards mobile. An average person has an account on more than 8 different social media networks and spends an average of 2 hours and 16 minutes per day on social media.

Social networking sites (SNS) are causing stress in users, known as social media-induced technostress. It is experiencing negative emotions due to content and interaction overload on social media.

Social media is becoming a place to show a perfect life which includes a perfect body image, career successes, exotic destinations and continuous happiness. This might trigger a feeling of jealousy, sadness that the life of others is better than ours, lower self-esteem, and finally a need to compete to show people what we have and what we are capable of.

We are overwhelmed with content about what people are wearing, what they bought, ate, and where they went. We feel the need to keep up with news feeds and status updates on social media to keep an eye on everything that is going on in people’s lives so that we don’t miss out on anything. Besides, we feel obliged to react to their posts to maintain their friendship or connection. We feel the need to be committed to engage with our network.

Psychology Today recommends that you reconsider the way you are using social media. Do you spend time choosing between photos you want to post? Do you ask yourself if your image impresses others and makes you competitive? Do you feel annoyed when you view what others are doing? Do you feel sad when your selfie picture does not get the expected likes and comments from your network? Do you feel worried about what your friends will think if you did not like their photos?

If you answered these questions with yes, you might want to check out some of our tips. Here is a guide to get started with self-care to reduce the stress that is caused by social media:

1. Unfollow pages that threaten your mental health

Your mental health is a priority. Whether it is a page or a person in your network, it is OK to unfollow. When you no longer view content that induces stress and anxiety, you will feel less worried and stressed out.

2. Ask yourself: What is the real motive behind what I do?

If the reason behind applying full-face makeup, spending time in luxurious places, or celebrating an achievement, is to share it on social media and impress others, you are exerting your energy to fake your happiness and get validation for your self-worth from others. Happiness and satisfaction should be an end to what you choose to do and not a means to an end; to share and impress others.

3. Track the time you spend on social media

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that reducing the time you spend on social media results in lower levels of depression and loneliness. There are several applications that you can use to control your screen time.

4. Take a break from social media

Control the time you spend on social media by spending time with friends and family. Do things that you enjoy like taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or signing up for a dance class. You can join the Wellbeing Wednesdays with artil member Emily Hemming on Instagram to take your midweek dose of well-being and gratitude.

5. Do not compare yourself or your life to others on social media.

Remember that no one’s life is ever as perfect as it appears to be on social media. Others as well might be experiencing breakdown, self-doubt, and disappointment, even if they choose not to share it online. Besides, be true to yourself and maintain your self-confidence so you do not fall into the trap of the social media “perfect image”. Self-worth is not tied to what you have, who you are, and what you do in comparison to others.

Put your phone down, take a break, enjoy moments, and spend time with the people you love. Protect your well-being and use social media more positively.

Let’s shift our focus from comparing ourselves to others on social media to being true to ourselves, developing self-worth, and building genuine real-life connections.