How to be mindful about using social media

Whether it is Facebook to connect and chat with friends, Instagram to share photos, LinkedIn to connect professionally or scrolling on TikTok – you probably use social media in some way.  

Social media can have positive impacts on your overall wellbeing such as providing a space for connecting with friends and family, a sense of community and discussing common interests, finding information and getting inspiration, and raising awareness of important causes. It's important to recognise if social media may be having a negative impact on your mental health. You may find yourself comparing yourself to others due to the amount of editing and filtered images you see. Your sleep can be impacted if you stay up late scrolling and you may experience fear of missing out (FOMO) and start checking social media for more updates. Although it can help you meet people, you could find you feel more isolated in the long run.  

Being mindful on social media can help you get the benefits but also helping manage the negative effects. Here are some top tips for staying mindful about your social media use: 

1. Remember that what you see on social media may not always reflect reality. Be kind to yourself, most people will only post ‘the good parts’ of their lives so it is not a fair reflection on your situation. Be authentic when online and try not to rely on validation from others for your own self-esteem. 
2. Be aware of how certain posts or images make you feel and how they impact your wellbeing. Keeping track of this can help you spot patterns and take action to prevent this it (unfollowing, blocking or hiding accounts, or reducing the time on these platforms). 
3. Choose to engage with content that uplifts, educates, or entertains you. If you want to use social media, find content that interests you and keep the algorithms feeding you content along these themes.  
4. Prioritise accounts and communities that demonstrate positivity and support.  
5. Be mindful of the time you spend engaging in comment threads or discussions that may not contribute positively to your wellbeing.  
6. Consider reducing your time online or take a break from social media completely to recharge, reflect and prioritise other activities for your wellbeing. 

Excessive doom scrolling can be a great comfort but also an unhealthy coping mechanism for managing anxiety and worry. Instead, this avoids your feelings and certain situations that cause you distress and can keep you trapped in a cycle of anxiety where the root problem is not addressed. NHS Talking Therapies can help you spot patterns in your thoughts and behaviours that are contributing to your anxiety and provide you with healthier ways to manage your mental health.  

To sign up to NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies click here (opens in new window)