How To Use Social Media for YOU

Social media, while revolutionary, can also be a lot. On one hand, it offers a community and puts the world at our fingertips, but it can quickly become overwhelming. For most of us, it’s now an integral part of our lives, enabling us to connect with friends and family, stay updated on news and events, and share our thoughts, experiences, and creativity. However, social media can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and negativity. With endless posts, notifications, and messages it can take a toll on our mental health. Let’s explore some ways in which you can make your social media feeds a more comfortable space for you.

Limit Your Time on Social Media:

One of the easiest ways to make social media a more comfortable space for you is by limiting the amount of time you spend on it. With so much content being posted every minute, it's easy to get caught up in the scroll and lose track of time. In a recent study, it was found that 38.16% of teenagers spend more than 8 hours daily on social media. Spending too much time on social media can be detrimental to your mental health, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. To avoid this, try setting a daily time limit for social media usage and sticking to it. You can use apps like Screen Time to monitor your usage and help you stay on track.

Join Communities That Match Your Interests:

Another way to make social media more comfortable for you is by joining communities that match your interests. Whether it's a group of people who share the same hobbies or a community focused on mental health and well-being, finding like-minded individuals can provide a sense of belonging and support. These groups can also be a source of positivity and inspiration, with members sharing helpful tips and advice on how to navigate life's challenges. Whether you find your people in Yubo Lives, Reddit subreddits or other various online forums, there’s a community for you. 

Censor Things You Don't Want to See:

One of the downsides of social media is that it can expose us to content that we don't want to see, such as negative news stories or offensive posts from friends or family. To make social media more comfortable for you, consider censoring things that you don't want to see. Most social media platforms, like Yubo, have a feature that allows you to mute or block certain users or keywords, which can help reduce the amount of negative content you come across. And censoring doesn’t need to be as straightforward as blogging, but can also just include unfollowing creators or even friends whose interests don’t align with your own.

Take Breaks:

Taking regular breaks from social media can also help make it a more comfortable space for you. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed out by the constant stream of posts and notifications, take some time away from social media to recharge and refocus. This could be a short break during the day, such as a 15-minute walk outside, or a longer break, such as a weekend without any social media use. During your break, try engaging in activities that bring you joy and help you relax, such as reading a book, listening to music, or spending time with loved ones.

Practice Mindful Social Media Use:

Finally, one of the best ways to make social media a more comfortable space for you is by practicing mindful social media use. This means being intentional about the time you spend on social media and how you engage with it. Before logging on, take a moment to check in with yourself and ask if you're in the right headspace to consume social media content. If not, consider taking a break or engaging in a different activity. When using social media, try to focus on positive and uplifting content, and avoid engaging with posts or comments that are negative or triggering. Additionally, be mindful of your own social media habits, and try to avoid posting content that could be harmful or hurtful to others.

Social media can be a powerful tool for connection and community, but it can also be a source of negativity. By following these tips, you can make social media a more comfortable space for you. Limit your time on social media, join communities that match your interests, censor things you don’t want to see, take breaks, and practice mindful social media use. These strategies can help you create a more positive social media experience that aligns with your values and supports your mental health and well-being. Don’t force yourself to use social media how you think it should be used, rather, use social media in the best way that works for you.