7 Amazing Strategies to Prevent Depression Caused By Social Media

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Have you ever wondered how to prevent depression caused by social media? Well, this post is for you.

Social media can be a very important form of entertainment in our lives today, but it can be difficult to manage your mental health if you consume too much.

As a consumer of social media, and someone who has struggled with depression, I have found the best techniques that will help you prevent your mental health from suffering while still enjoying social media.

The Link Between Social Media and Depression

According to this study, there is a significant link between social media and anxiety and depression. No matter how much time you spend on social media, there are still downsides to over consuming too much social media.

Comparison and Envy

When you look at too much social media, there are often feelings of comparison and envy. This can cause negative feelings and make you feel negatively about yourself.

Social media can cause a ton of envy because you compare yourself to others and their lives. You may feel you are behind in life or you are not as beautiful as you could be.

Be careful with how you view others on social media to avoid this.

Oh no, Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is easy to get involved in on social media. Putting yourself out there will open yourself up to bullies and hateful people.

Making sure that you are aware of this can help you determine how much you want to put out there and what you are comfortable being criticized about.

Social Media Addiction and Mental Health

When you get into a groove of choosing social media when you are bored can cause an addiction to social media. Having this addiction can mean that you are dependent on getting your self worth from likes or positive comments.

Constant connectivity can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. If you are always able to talk to someone without moving an inch, it can feel even more lonely if no one is available or you aren’t able to reach out for whatever reason.

7 Strategies to Prevent Depression Caused By Social Media

1: Set Boundaries and Limit Social Media Usage

Take a moment to look at how much time you spend on each app by going to screen time on your phone. Try to cut it down by 10% the next day. So if you spent 10 hours on your phone one day, then the next try to spend only 9 hours.

Create a boundary with yourself to prevent yourself from wasting your day away scrolling.

2: Cultivate a Mindful and Intentional Approach to Social Media

For me, I scroll past any Tik Toks when I realize it is about a product because I know how easily I buy into things once I hear about them.

This is a financial boundary I have set with myself that helps my mental health.

You could make sure you are clicking not interested on Tik Tok when something that makes you upset or think badly. This way, your use of Tik Tok is a little more healthy for you.

Find ways to only take in content that is helpful and fun. I do this by using Pinterest primarily because it is easy and only gives me things that are easy to digest.

3: Engage in Offline Activities that Promote Mental Wellness

You will know the basic, “Take a walk” or “Do a Sheet Mask”, but there are many ways to promote mental wellness.

This could be writing, cooking, grocery shopping, or playing with a pet.

If you have a cat or a dog, spend a few extra minutes of quiet time in the morning to feed them and play.

Sit out on your porch or balcony and drink a coffee or tea.

Make your time alone, or quiet time, a little more special.

4: Manage and Overcome FOMO

Taking breaks from social media like Instagram or Facebook can really help with this. I only go on Instagram to look at the reels or to post something.

Find time to make goals and find satisfaction in your life.

Remember that everyone has their own unique goals and aspirations in life. Don’t compare yourself to others who seem to be having more fun online, as they may simply be in a different phase of life than you.

5: Build a Supportive and Positive Social Media

Be mindful of what you are spending the most time consuming.

Scroll past things that you notice are not helpful to you or your mindset. You don’t need to consume all news and be completely up to date on everything if it is hurting you.

Block people, for me it is James Charles, who cause irritation or cause you to spiral. This could be that every time you see a post from them you think about your past for too long or you feel awful about yourself.

6: Practice Self-Compassion and Avoid Comparison

This comes from taking all the tips above.

Depression caused by social media takes a lot to prevent, but keep all these tips in mind when consuming social media.

Make sure you are taking a moment to pump yourself up when consuming social media and show yourself all the things you’re grateful for.

Think of all the people in your life and how they make your life great.

If you start to compare yourself to others, then think about all the great things in your life or take a break from social media, even for 10 minutes.

7: Know When to Seek Help and Support

Write down a list of people you know you can always talk to about anything. For me, that is my boyfriend, my pastor, and my best friend.

If this isn’t an option, and you are religious, try praying when you need extra support.

Seeking help is crucial if social media is taking over your life. You can talk to a trusted friend or family member, consider professional counseling, or take a break from social media. Remember, your mental health should always be a top priority.

If you are missing meals staying in bed and consuming social media or you aren’t cleaning and practicing personal hygiene, this is a great chance to reach out and talk through your thoughts with someone.

Recap

There is a huge connection between social media and depression in recent years. Keep up with these strategies and you will be able to prevent it from overtaking your life before it does.

I encourage you to prioritize your mental health and reevaluate your relationship with social media.

Think about what type of content you consume the most and how it effects you. Maybe funny videos make you sad to not have friends to do funny videos with, then use the tips above to lower your consumption of funny videos.

It can be hard to slow down on social media and reduce consumption, but remember you are worth it.

Remember, your mental health is important and it’s okay to take a step back from social media if it’s negatively impacting your well-being.