Social media can feel overwhelming, especially when negativity dominates your feed.
After speaking on a panel about navigating drama and protecting mental health online, the timing felt almost too perfect given recent events.
If you find yourself doom scrolling or feeling angry, sad, or drained after time online, these strategies can help you regain control.
Track Your Time
Pay attention to your create versus consume time. This is the number one metric to track for healthy social media use.
Social platforms are not inherently good or bad – they’re just tools. Make sure you’re using them and they’re not using you.
Touch Grass
If you find yourself feeling heavy after time online, shut the devices down. Take 30 minutes or an hour for a walk in nature.
This simple reset can completely shift your mental state and perspective.
Connect IRL
Call a friend and talk on the phone or go meet up in person. Humans were not designed to process so much information so quickly, especially negative or complex information.
Real connections help counterbalance digital overwhelm.
It’s Parsley
Here’s a concept worth stealing from Bob Knakal: people who are being nasty online or spewing negativity are like parsley on your dinner plate. Don’t pay attention to it. Toss it aside and focus on the main course.
Conclusion
Everything is a choice. You can choose to set boundaries and protect yourself from digital drama and negativity.
Here are the key strategies to remember:
- Track your create versus consume time ratio
- Take breaks in nature when feeling overwhelmed
- Connect with friends through calls or in-person meetups
- Treat online negativity like parsley – ignore it and focus on what matters
Your time and energy are your most valuable assets.
Choose to invest them wisely by taking control of your social media experience rather than letting it control you.
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