Reduce Social Media Stress with Mindfulness.
Social media was originally conceived as a tool to offer a break from the stresses of modern life – providing an escape to a virtual world that would make for a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. In that sense, it perfectly met its goal, as it quickly became apparent that people found it addictive and kept returning to these platforms. Yet, it has not all been positive; a worrying trend has emerged, with social media becoming a breeding ground for toxicity and stress. Many individuals have even been forced to take steps to remove themselves from this environment, with some uninstalling Twitter and others refraining from posting personal content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram in order to avoid unwanted attention.
This phenomenon cannot be simply attributed to jealousy, as such a sentiment is often experienced when individuals perceive others enjoying life whilst they are struggling. Over time, this stress can inherently impact one’s personal life, leading to an increase in frustration and anger. These changes in behavior can result in further difficulties, including the estrangement of close companions. Regrettably, this downward spiral can become increasingly difficult to reverse. Fortunately, an effective tool exists that can be employed to address this issue: Mindfulness.
What is Mindfulness?
Have you ever taken a moment to fully immerse yourself in the simple act of drinking water? When we pause and really focus, we can feel each refreshing drop as it passes over our lips and into our bodies. Unfortunately, the constant distractions of our daily lives often prevent us from fully enjoying these moments of natural pleasure. Too often we find ourselves multitasking and not taking time to fully engage with our surroundings. However, taking the time to appreciate and observe the world around us can help reduce stress and anxiety, and create a deeper connection to nature, leading to a sense of inner peace.
How can Mindfulness manage Social Media Stress?
Every morning, it is common for people to check their phones and receive notifications from various applications. However, this sudden stimulation can activate the brain and cause unwanted stress levels. It’s important to have a transitional phase between waking up and beginning your day. This is where mindfulness can be useful. By focusing on your entire body and easing into an alert state, you can start your day in a more relaxed and focused state of mind. Therefore, it is recommended to delay checking your phone and take a moment to reflect on your body and mental state. With mindfulness techniques, you can start your day with a more professional and productive mindset.
To promote productivity and a healthy mindset, it is beneficial to take a few minutes to reconnect with your body. Simply focus on the movement of your legs and feel them touching the ground. Then, focus on other body parts, such as your hands and face, as you move them. Practicing this exercise will help you achieve a meditative state and get you in the mood of working.
This exercise can be repeated before bedtime to ensure proper rest and relaxation. By doing so, you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your day with a positive mindset. Additionally, this technique can be used during free time as a way to de-stress and slow down.
Whether it be walking down the steps or eating food, it is important to do things slowly and focus on the movement. Incorporating this exercise in your daily routine requires minimal effort, but it can have a significant impact on your overall approach to your day.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by social media stress in public, there are a few simple steps you can take to regain a sense of calm. Instead of feeling self-conscious, try observing your surroundings or listening closely to conversations. By finding a new topic to focus on, you’ll be able to take your mind off of social media and reduce your stress levels. These measures can work for anyone who engages in them thoughtfully. However, if you’re still struggling or want to get to the root of the problem, consider practicing mindfulness while using social media. Ask yourself why you’re scrolling, commenting, or sharing, and whether it will help you in any way. Although it can be challenging at first, this approach will help you realize that social media stress is often a waste of time and energy. With these simple techniques, you can manage your social media stress without making drastic changes to your routine.