GREENSBORO, N.C. — Research shows the average social media user spends roughly two and a half hours a day on social media platforms. Though there are many benefits to social media, studies show it can negatively impact your mental health. Self-Care Coach Reketta Brown with Thrive Foundation shares ways to scroll safely, in this week's Monday Motivation.
“Social media impacts our mental health through positive ways as well as negative,” Brown said. “Some of the positive ways are to stay connected with our friends and communities. We can build communities through social media and get an update on what’s going on in the world.”
Brown said comparing yourself to others on social media can bring down self-esteem.
“You could log on one way, but by the time you log off you could be anxious because you’re comparing yourself to someone else’s life story and you don’t even know that person,” Brown said. “We are always scrolling, and it can lead to anxious thoughts. It can also lead to feeling overwhelmed.”
Brown said knowing your purpose for using social media platforms is important.
"Whether it’s entertainment for the day, whether it’s a work connection, or you’re trying just to get up and socialize, set screen times and time limits, also curate your feed,” Brown said. “You can unfollow negative accounts and follow more positive accounts with people you want to be connected with.”
Brown said social media users can find fulfillment outside of social media by connecting with people in real life.
“Meeting up for dinner or lunch and connecting with your family and friends. Also through reading and just taking that time away from online to get offline to have those real-life interactions and connections.”