Social Media: Setting Boundaries

Heavy use of social media (SM) can take its toll on your mental health. Establishing clear boundaries will help you find a healthy balance between the virtual world and real-life experiences. So, what might your boundaries be, and how can you put them in place?

1 Think About Purpose

What do you use SM for? Many of us pick up our phones to mindlessly scroll when we’re bored, tired or procrastinating. Despite being a boredom buster, our blog last week demonstrated that SM can affect our self-esteem and encourage comparison culture. 

Think about why you use these platforms. Reasons might include sharing stories or reels with family and friends, finding support, looking for inspiration, or making connections with likeminded people across the globe. 

Once you understand what you like to get out of social media, it becomes easier to set boundaries.

2 Put Time Limits in Place

Excessive screen time may turn SM from a positive experience to a negative one. Set specific time limits for social media usage – some platforms allow you to apply a limit, or you can set one via your phone. 

Setting a SM limit can help you use the time wisely, prevent you from scrolling for hours, and free up time for other meaningful activities.

3 Have Tech-Free Zones

Create tech-free areas and times within your daily routine. A popular example is to create a tech-free zone in your bedroom at night. This can help to promote better sleep, helping you unwind and feel refreshed the next day.

You may also choose to leave your phone elsewhere while completing work or homework. This reduces distractions and contributes to a focused mindset.

4 Curate your Feed

You are the creator of your SM feed, so make sure it aligns with your personality and wellbeing. Unfollow accounts that cause low mood, upset or trigger you. Instead, actively seek out content that inspires, uplifts or educates.

5 Turn Off Notifications

Constant notifications are not only distracting – they can feel stressful, too. Make changes to your notification settings to limit interruptions. You may find your attention span and overall wellbeing improve if you turn off notifications at school or work, when studying, or overnight.

6 Schedule a SM Detox

Take occasional breaks from SM – a day, a weekend, or a longer period. Detoxing can provide valuable insight into whether you truly enjoy or benefit from using SM, or if it has just become a habit.

7 Prioritise Real-Life Connections

Making virtual connections online can mean we neglect face-to-face interactions. Set time aside for seeing friends and doing offline activities that you enjoy. Having strong relationships in the real world can significantly improve your emotional wellbeing.

Many of us like using SM, but the balance can tip from being enjoyable to causing upset or distress. Follow the tips above to become more mindful of how you use SM and to check that it is not negatively affecting your mental health.