As a child of the internet, social media is my lifeline. My day starts with scrolling through my Instagram feed and ends with the same. While social media platforms are a great way of staying connected with the world, they can also get quite overwhelming if not used mindfully. On popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Clubhouse etc. there’s tones of content to consume and a lot of it can be quite triggering for many individuals. So, while it’s unrealistic to stop using social media entirely, you can always change the way you use it. These platforms have a huge impact on our lives. So, here are 6 ways that will help you make sure your experience while using social media platforms is mindful.
Check them out:
1. Practise non-judgement while scrolling
This is one of the most important points to remember while scrolling through your social media feed. We often tend to judge the people and posts we come across far too quickly, which in turn makes your social media experience quite negative. So, try to look at posts with non-judgement and scroll past something if you don’t like it.
2. It’s okay to unfollow people whose content triggers you
I really wish to stress this point because it’s absolutely okay to unfollow pages, friends and people whose content triggers you. We anyway receive a blast of information on social media and not all of it is good news. If you’re not feeling mentally okay after looking at someone’s content, feel free to put your well-being first and unfollow that account.
3. Set a positive intention
Before opening your social media accounts, understand your intention behind it and consciously have a positive attitude. This small step might look irrelevant to you now, but it can really help you have a more mindful experience online.
4. Don’t just mindlessly scroll
Social media platforms were created so you can have healthy interactions with people from all around the world. If you wish to make your online experience more mindful then don’t just mindlessly scroll through posts. It’s always more wholesome to interact with posts and people you like. A good comment from you might just make someone’s day and leave you feeling happy and grateful.
5. Follow mental health and wellness pages
It’s always a great idea to follow mental health and wellness pages on platforms like Instagram. These accounts give you your daily dose of mindfulness with their posts and remind you to put your well-being first. I personally follow a lot of them too and you can check out a few of them by clicking here!
6. Remember that everything you see on social media is not the reality
Always remember that a lot of what you come across on social media platforms may not be entirely true. A lot of images are edited and unrealistic. So, refrain from comparing yourselves with what you see on social media platforms. Instead, you can always follow creators and celebs who advocate a healthy body image.
So, these were just a few simple ways that can help you make your experience on social media more mindful. With so much uncertainty around us, it’s important to make your wellbeing a priority. How do you take care of your mental health? I would love to hear about it in the comments below. Also, I hope everyone is staying safe and trying to get vaccinated.