Social Media and Health

Whilst there are a lot of positive aspects of social media such as connection, being inspired and feeling in touch, there are negatives that can have an impact on our mental health. Below is a list of tips to help look after your online mental wellbeing: -Follow accounts that lift, inspire, educate or bring joy. If this isn’t the case then detox the accounts you are following. Mute, block and unfollow are there to help protect your mental health. -Don’t fall into the comparison trap. This only serves to make you feel negative. Remember that people only share their highlights (and there’s always issues around filters and what you see isn’t always the truth). Also, you never know what goes on behind the squares. People have very different stories and circumstances so comparison is fruitless. - Don’t get caught up in the numbers game. If you focus on the connections you make the experience will be so much more positive for you.

- And finally, remember that social media isn’t real life. Always make sure that you’re doing plenty in your real life that brings happiness and inspiration so that social media doesn’t become the focus. ​ Written by Training Psychotherapist MPH BSc (Hons): Helen Marie @h.e.l.e.n.m.a.r.i.e