By Molly Kitz Ma, lmhca

Social media has connected us in ways we never imagined would be possible. It is a creative outlet for artists, a place for people to share their voices and talents, a community for young people, and a platform to help families and friends remain connected from thousands of miles away. Unfortunately, social media is also highly addictive and often forces us to engage in unhealthy ways. Social media has a way of consuming us and controlling how we function, how we work, and how we interact with others. As we enter into a new season (come on summer, we are waiting!), let’s focus on how we can maintain a healthy relationship with social media.

Stop Scrolling First Thing in the Morning

We are all guilty of rolling over first thing in the morning and grabbing our cell phones just to scroll social media. Before we even have time to rub our eyes, we are bombarded with bad news and forced to engage with the rest of the world in a sometimes, unhealthy manner. Starting your day off with social media can impact your productivity levels but more importantly, can impact your mood and set the tone for your entire day. Try to set a habit and instead of reaching for your phone, reach for a book or a cup of a coffee! Allow yourself time to wake up and connect to yourself before forcing yourself to connect to the rest of the virtual world!

Set Boundaries

If you find yourself using social media more than you would prefer, it’s time to set boundaries and be intentional with your social media use. Most cell phones nowadays are able to show you just how many hours you spend each day on social media. While this can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment, you can utilize this tool to help set boundaries and healthy limits on your social media use. Even limiting your use by 15-20 minutes can significantly improve your mental health. Think of what you could be doing with an extra 15-20 minutes in your day!

Press that Unfollow Button

Social media platforms are a playground for influencers and celebrities. Some of these accounts are helpful and can provide you with motivation and ideas. On the flip side, many accounts can leave us with feelings that ultimately harm our overall well-being and mental health. If you find that your social media feed is filled with accounts that cause you to feel upset, stressed, unhappy, or negatively impacts your self-confidence – UNFOLLOW! You have control when it comes to what you expose yourself to on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to unfollow accounts that don’t build you up.

Don’t Compare

You have heard this before….social media is a highlight reel! You would probably agree that you only post photos or highlights when you feel or look like your best self. Certainly, we are not going to post a picture of us on Instagram when we first wake up. Keep this in mind when you are scrolling. Try not to get down on yourself and compare your life to others while viewing only a small part of their life. And if all else fails, follow the step above this one and unfollow!

Take a Break

It’s ok to decide to take a break from social media. Whether that break lasts 1 day or 30 days or maybe it’s even permanent. Cell phones make it easy to simply delete apps off your phone to help with the temptation of using (don’t worry – deleting the app won’t delete your account!). Disconnecting with social media can have a positive impact on your mental health and productivity! If taking a break seems too drastic, try silencing notifications so you aren’t constantly being alerted.

Social media isn’t all bad – it is an amazing tool that has positively impacted many parts of our lives. However, just like anything else, sometimes too much of a good thing can turn bad. Personalize your social media interactions, feeds, and engagements so they best suit you and help you maintain a healthy relationship with the virtual world.