FFN #8: Social Media & Mental Health, The Fine Balance

Striking a Balance

Hello to our wonderful community!

A recent post on our Facebook group garnered a massive 7k reach, and we found the topic to be incredibly relevant. Navigating social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's an essential tool for many professionals, especially those in PR, marketing, and content creation but let’s face it, many of us need it for our businesses no matter the job description. Yet, for many, it triggers anxiety, and overwhelm. It's easy to lose hours scrolling, comparing, and becoming lost in a whirlwind of trends and updates. However, some have found ways to strike a balance:

• Mindful Curation: Many advocate for being discerning about who you follow, suggesting a hard curation of your feed and limiting it to essential contacts and beneficial groups.

• Delegation: If you can, delegate social media tasks. Outsourcing can mean you spend less time immersed in the platform and avoid burnout.

• Boundaries: Create separate profiles for personal and work use or set time limits on usage. Turn off notifications or even delete apps from your phone for periods of time.

• Alternative Platforms: Some find solace in less 'social' platforms like Pinterest or focus on evergreen content like SEO.

• Reflection: Question why certain content triggers negative emotions and consider muting, unfollowing, or blocking sources of distress.

• Digital Detoxes: Regular breaks from social media or "posting and ghosting" can provide respite.

• Purposeful Usage: Shift the perspective. Use social media with a specific purpose, such as research or business promotions, rather than aimless scrolling.

The consensus is clear: while social media is an integral part of many professions, setting boundaries and being intentional about its use can help preserve one's mental health and well-being. How do you find balance?

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