8 Ways to Have a Healthy Relationship with Social Media

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Do you have a healthy relationship with social media?

Are you addicted to it but you’re not quite sure why?

I mean, social media sucks up our time. You can end up in an endless scroll from app to app, and sometimes you leave the apps with negative feelings like jealousy and insecurity.

Social media can either be a beautiful tool or a harmful one, depending on how you go about using it.

Here are eight ways you can have a healthy relationship with social media.

Healthy Relationship with Social Media Tips

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1. Take a Close Look at Who You Follow

Who you follow on social media directly correlates to your experience.

If you are following people who are negative and always complaining, then you will often adapt to those feelings.

It is more than okay to unfollow or mute people who are not in alignment with you and your values, especially if they give you those negative feelings.

It is also okay to unfollow or mute people who you know personally—yes, that includes cousins, close friends, aunts, uncles, etc. 

You should follow people on social media who inspire you.

Follow some positive accounts that post inspirational quotes or some of your favorite authors and podcasters.

Follow health accounts that preach body positivity, while also showing you how to live a healthier life.

You want to follow people who make you want to live a better life, not people who make you feel worse.

2. Intentionally Go on Social Media to Connect, Not to Compare

When you open Instagram for example, what are your intentions?

What are your motives for opening the app?

If your intentions are to be hard on yourself and compare yourself to others, then close it out.

If your intention is to look at pictures of an old friendship or relationship and make yourself upset, close it out.

Remember that the sole purpose of social media is to connect with others.

That should be your only reason for ever opening any social media apps. You should be going on to speak with others, to share your story and thoughts, and to connect.

Social media is a powerful way to build and connect with your community.

3. Set a Timer For How Long You Will Be Scrolling

It is too easy to let social media suck up all of your precious time without even trying.

Unless going on social media is your job (and you are using it in a productive manner), you should purposefully set a timer for social media.

Give yourself a half-hour to check your notifications on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, then when the timer goes off, close out of the apps for the day.

This may take some getting used to at first but once you do, you will be so thankful to break that dependency you may subconsciously have with your phone.

4. Take a Hiatus From Social Media as Necessary

This does not have to be a weekly occurrence, but you should be able to disconnect from social media as necessary.

When is it necessary?

It could be necessary when you realize you’ve spent hours and hours scrolling.

Maybe you leave the apps and consistently feel stressed and overwhelmed. Or perhaps, you just really want some unplugged time with your family and friends.

Whatever the reason, remember your phone is not an extension of your hand.

You must be able to be in the present moment without feeling like you always have to document it.

5. Believe That Your Worth Does Not Come From Your Number of Followers

We’ve all done it—gone to someone’s profile and immediately judge them based on their number of followers. You may not even be consciously doing this, but it happens.

However, we have to know that our worth is NOT defined by our number of followers.

In fact, don’t even closely track your number of followers!

We are worthy merely because we exist.

If you must associate your worth with something else, associate it with your unique skills, personality, and passions. 

6. Don’t Post in Real Time

Once you take a really beautiful picture, it is so tempting to rush over to Instagram and immediately write a caption and hit post.

Don’t do it people!!!

If you want to intentionally take pictures for social media, that is fine, but try not to post in real-time.

Posting in real-time takes away from the present moment and let’s face it—you will probably end up scrolling some more. Try to take your pictures and then put your phone away.

Chances are, you will probably come up with a better caption later anyway!

7. Stay Off Social Media First Thing in the Morning and Right Before Bed

I am a strong proponent of starting and ending your day in a very slow and relaxed way.

Social media has a tendency to overwhelm you and get your head spinning, so it’s not exactly the most relaxed way to wake up and go to sleep.

It is best to avoid that overwhelmed mindset when you start and end your day.

Take that time for yourself by resting and relaxing, whether that means journaling, reading, meditating, or just listening to music. Try to keep social media out of the equation.

Related Reads:

• How to Have a Social Media Detox
• 11 Things to Do in the Morning Instead of Grabbing Your Phone

8. Be Yourself Online

We have all heard the phrase “be authentic”.

Yes, for many of us, that phrase makes us cringe.

Why?

Well, so many people are trying to be #authentic that authenticity is completely lost on social media.

Therefore, I am not going to tell you to be authentic, but I will tell you to be yourself. By being yourself, you will act as a magnet and attract followers who are just like you.

There will be no need to compare yourself to anyone else on social media because there is only one you!

Final Thoughts

I hope these tips helped you learn how you can have a healthier relationship with social media.

Try to implement some of the tips one by one.

You know you have achieved that healthier relationship when you open an app feeling worried or stressed and leave feeling happier and inspired.

How is your relationship with social media? Let me know in the comments below.