Are you one of those people who can't go a day without checking your phone? Do you find yourself getting anxious when you're not constantly engaged with social media, but also anxious when you are engaged? If so, you're not alone. A lot of people experience anxiety from social media use, and it's something that can be highly frustrating to deal with.
We don't shy away from social media. In fact, we encourage and teach others to reach their full potential as content creators, and we don't plan on changing that any time soon. We know the importance of social media isn't fading, and it will continue to hold unlimited opportunities for creators willing to work for them.
That being said, we also know that mental health is one of the most important things we must protect. So educating on the potential negative effects of social media is something we are passionate about.
Research does show that social media can increase anxiety in users. Since we strongly encourage you to become the influencer of your dreams, we also want to cover ways to manage the anxiety that may come with the territory.
Keep reading to learn more!
Why can social media make us anxious? There are quite a few reasons why social media has been proven to cause anxiety in users. To start, it can be extremely addictive.
Like any addiction, social media creates chemical changes in our brains that impact how we feel and act.
Have you heard of the hormone "dopamine"? It's known as the "feel-good" hormone and is released when we do anything that causes pleasure. This could be shopping, eating your favorite food, or scrolling on social media.
When we open our favorite app, see something funny, check how many likes we got on our latest Reel, or land our dream brand deal, dopamine is released. When our brain makes the connection between the high levels of dopamine and the action that caused its release, it will prompt us to continue the action repeatedly (this is also why people get addicted to gambling).
This ends in us constantly checking our phones, obsessing over likes, or forever planning our next post.
Feeling this need for a dopamine release can make us anxious, waiting for the next time it will happen. But the need for dopamine is greater than the unpleasant feeling of anxiety, so the cycle continues.
It's totally normal to compare ourselves to other people. But with social media, we have the unique opportunity to do so literally all the time. Not only that, but we have a glimpse into other people's touched-up reality, making us feel like our behind-the-scenes reality doesn't measure up.
Research shows that this constant comparison can lower self-esteem, impact life satisfaction, and increase anxiety.
FOMO We admit this one sounds a little funny, but it's so real.
FOMO (the fear of missing out) happens when you are convinced other people are living their best lives without you. Social media perpetuates this fear by showing you that, indeed , everyone is
We say that with sarcasm because we all know this isn't true. Everyone is just projecting what they want others to think about their lives. Still, the brain doesn't distinguish on a subconscious level.
FOMO can make people check their social media even more, to ensure they aren't missing out on news or plans or just in hopes of keeping up with their friends. This constant checking can, in turn, create even more FOMO.
Talk about anxiety-provoking.
Ironically, the apps designed to connect us socially can end up making us feel more isolated than before.
Studies have shown that social media use produces higher levels of perceived loneliness. We are naturally a social species, so feeling lonely also increases the risk of anxiety.
Why do we still love social media, and can it be used in a healthy way? You might be wondering why the heck we would still encourage you to pursue a career in content creation after all of this.
Well, social media holds amazing benefits and opportunities when used correctly. Brands and influencers have unmet potential that will only continue to grow as the scope of social media evolves.
Not to mention, social media can connect us with people we would never otherwise meet, educate us on important topics, give us a creative outlet, and for those willing to work for it, a fulfilling career.
We love helping creators reach their full potential and with that comes educating them on how to protect their mental health along the way.
So, yes, there are ways social media can be used that will help fight back against anxiety. Here are six tips for doing so.
#1 Reduce Random Scrolling
As a content creator, you are going to be online. That's a given. You have to stay engaged with your followers, keep up to date with trends and changes in the algorithm, and you obviously will need to stick to your posting schedule. You probably also scroll for funsies on a daily basis.
If you notice you feel unsettled or more anxious after your scrolling time, try to limit the amount of fun/mindless scrolling you do.
Create a schedule for work time and a schedule for "fun" time on social media and stick to it. See if giving your mind a break relieves any anxiety you may have.
#2 Avoid Comparison Very little good comes out of comparison. Yes, we hope you have content creators you admire and aspire to be like, but don't compare yourself to them. You are not them, nor will you ever be.
They landed more brand deals than you this month? Amazing! They take more vacations than you? Great! Their success doesn't lessen yours. Strive to reach your full potential without giving a crap about what they're doing.
Also, definitely don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself on a social level with the people you follow. You know that you are seeing a fake reality. A reality they created. So don't compare your behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel. It will only leave you feeling unhappy.
#3 Prioritize Face-to-Face Friend Time
Everyone needs authentic in-person connections to feel happy and healthy . Social media can be a great tool to connect with loved ones, but we encourage you not to let it take over for the real thing.
Try setting aside time each week to meet up with friends face-to-face. Make it a goal not to use any phones during this time.
It can also be fun to join a social group of some sort. You could join a sports rec league, take a yoga class, or join an interest group. Making new social connections offline is a great way to balance your online connections and kick anxiety in the booty.
#4 Practice Daily Gratitude This is a method used to fight anxiety in general, but anxiety from social media is no different.
Setting aside time daily to reflect positively on your life is a great break from resentment or discontent. So for the next week, practice gratitude before you even look at your phone.
You could try something simple, like thinking of three things you are grateful for. You could start a gratitude journal that you can reflect on over time. Whatever method you prefer, give it a go.
#5 Take Control Over Who You Follow
The beauty of social media is that you control who you follow. If you notice feeling particularly uneasy or anxious after seeing someone's post, unfollow them. Block them even. There is no need to expose yourself to content you know will disrupt your peace.
Take time to analyze the accounts you follow. Which accounts are worth your time? Which accounts are absolutely pointless for you to follow? Which accounts or people are toxic? Know you have the power and autonomy to unfollow or block anyone or anything that isn't worth your mental space!
#6 Use Relaxation Techniques If you take the time to support your overall mental health, you will be in a better mental place that doesn't allow social media to provoke as much anxiety.
Some excellent practices you can implement today are anything that encourages mindfulness and presence. Things like deep breathing, grounding, yoga, and meditation are quick and easy things you can do anywhere.
Mental health should be worked on daily regardless of social media use, so choose a practice you connect with and get started.
Conclusion Social media has so many benefits, but it's important to be conscious of the risks. Hopefully, you feel more equipped to combat some of the negative effects, primarily anxiety, after reading this post.
Now go forth and make amazing things happen online!
Do you have any additional tips for staying mentally healthy on social media? We would love to know!
