Is social media good for us?
You can Incorporate Social Media into your Happiness Habits
It’s no secret that social media use has increased a significant amount since the start of this pandemic - as if our personal use wasn’t high enough before the pandemic... You’re probably thinking that I’m going to cover the negative mental health effects of social media, which have been discussed time and time again. But you’ve guessed incorrectly! Today, I’m going to cover how you can use social media to positively impact your mental health.
First, find your Why...
You need to start by asking questions: Why are you sharing this piece of content on your social media channels? Why are you sharing anything on social media?
Sharing in order to build your business, keep your family and friends in the loop of your life, or simply to share your art with the world are all great reasons. That is, as long as you’re not looking solely for validation, or an ego boost. Mai-Ly Steers, a social psychologist at the University of Houston who researches the impact of social media on well-being says that, “If you are basing your self-worth on external validation, your self-esteem is subject to the whims of others rather than being rooted in your own sense of self-worth.”
In the end, self-worth needs to be validated from your own actions, not what others think about your actions. In other words, all the likes and follows in the world won’t fill whatever hole is causing that need for validation. Instead, you need to focus on a higher purpose (the why). If you feel that your social media use has a purpose, it will be a more meaningful experience. And with more meaning, comes more happiness.
So on a regular basis, ask yourself how you are going to make a difference on social media, and positively impact others. You can choose to educate others, raise awareness for a cause, motivate people, or simply entertain them. Find your self-worth by fulfilling a greater purpose (the why) that is specific to you. Instead of focusing on quantity, focus on the quality of your influence.
Share your story...
Humans love great stories - whether that’s listening to them or sharing them yourself. Research shows that self-disclosure actually has great benefits, such as boosting self-esteem, enhancing personal growth, and helping us regulate our emotions.
So share your story with your audience, no matter how big or small they are. We’re naturally inclined to relate to the people around us. After all, we are social beings! You may find that opening up to your social media friends allows them to open up to you as well. How great does it feel when you share something vulnerable and find out that others reciprocate those feelings? Continue the conversation with them, cherish the fact that we are all social beings, and sharing is healthy.
Build each other up...
Many of us find ourselves mindlessly scrolling and zoning out on social media. This might help distract you from whatever it is you need distracting from, but it can also leave you feeling unfulfilled. Actions are far less common during this scrolling ritual. However, they don’t have to be!
Research suggests that interacting with people, even on social media, increases your levels of happiness. This means you should be contributing to discussions, provide honest compliments, and add value to other people’s content. Similar to in-person interactions, when you brighten someone’s day with a compliment, it feels even better than receiving one yourself! The more you participate in this way instead of mindlessly scrolling, the better you’ll feel - as happy chemicals are released in your brain through online interactions. Though it will not be the same level or extent as in-person interactions, it’s a good alternative during this time!
So now, let me ask you: How do you make the most of your social media experience? Do you have any social media habits that contribute towards your happiness?
Hit reply and let me know, I love hearing your responses :)
And remember, keep finding your ways to develop your Happiness Habits!
Sincerely,
Dr. Tal Leead, Psy.D.
happierbeing.com
P.S. I recently started a Facebook group! If you're interested in developing yourself through happiness habits for a growth mindset, I'd love for you to join!
Remember: Little Habits, Big Difference
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