How To Set Boundaries on Social Media

In this day and age, it would be difficult to find someone who isn’t connected on some sort of social media. Although these sites do have their many benefits, it’s easy to get too caught up in them, making it important to figure out the right ways to have a health relationship with social media. An unhealthy relationship with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. can not only wreak havoc on your self-esteem, but it can cause issues with your relationship, your friendship, and even your job.

At the end of the day, social media can be a fun way to connect and even a great tool to promote yourself and your brand, as long as you use it the right way. If you feel like you might be too addicted to scrolling through your feed, consider these below tips that to set boundaries with social media.

1. Schedule “Social Media Time”

If you find that you spend way too much time aimlessly scrolling through your social media account, designate a certain time of day to look at your feed, and stick to that. Set times to check in on social media. Limit your logged-in time to 15-minutes for each check-in.

2. Call Your Friends

Instead of fulfilling your need for connection via the internet, turn to some real, non-virtual socializing. If you need additional time, connect outside of social media by emailing, calling, texting or getting some (actual) face-time with your friend.

3. Remove The Apps From Your Phone

If you have a difficult time staying away from social media, don’t make it easy to log on. Removing apps will significantly reduce the time you spend on them. Forty percent of cell phone owners use a social networking site on their phone, according to a research, so removing these apps can help you stick to checking in on these sites only when you’re near a computer — and not when you’re out with friends.

4. Think Before You Post

It’s tempting to post on social media in the heat of the moment, but it’s important to think about your content before you put it up for the world to see. A lot of people will see what you post, and they have the option to take a screen shot if they choose to. ‘Tweet & delete’ will not always save you.

5. Be Selective About Who You Follow

Looking at certain people’s feeds can anger you, make you feel left out, or even diminish your self-esteem. It’s time to stop following these people. It’s OK to delete them, unfollow them, or hide them from your feed. Do whatever feels right for you.

6. Stop Comparing

 The more time people spend comparing themselves to people on social media, the more depressed they get. Remind yourself that a post is just a post. It’s a moment in time and it doesn’t tell the whole story. Remind yourself that someone else’s happy news does not minimize your own.

7. Keep Social Media Out Of The Bedroom

People take laptops and cell phones into bed with them and without realizing, put social media ahead of sleep and intimacy. Spending all your time on your phone or computer in bed can not only hurt your love life, but it can disrupt your quality of sleep.

8. Be Authentic

 When you post photos, select images that reflect your life — who you are, what you value, and perhaps who you love and appreciate. You can use social media to share your relationships with yourself and others while not allowing social media to define your relationships.

Everyone has their different ways they use social media, but you want to make sure it’s not interfering with your health or happiness in any way. If it is, consider taking on some of these tips.

This Content has originally written by Carina Wolff and published on June 7, 2016. No Copyright/IPR breach is intended.

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Photo by Gian Cescon on Unsplash