There are many complaints about how social media can damage relationships and be a source of unhealthy stress. Here’s how you can make your experience with social media more positive.
Be the change you want to see in the virtual world.
If you feel like your social networks are filled with worry and negativity, try setting yourself an assignment of posting one positive, uplifting, or amusing post every day for a month. Your good cheer might be just the boost one of your online friends needs!
Pause before you “unfriend.”
Just as toxic interactions in real life can cause unease, so can unhealthy drama in your Facebook feed and Twitter stream. Develop a “three strikes” policy: The third time one of your virtual friends posts something negative, demeaning, or anxiety-inducing, quietly unfriend or unfollow that person.
Beware too much news.
We live in a 24-hour news cycle . . . but that doesn’t mean you have to pay attention to it 24/7! Constant news updates can place undue emphasis on events that are not that important—and can raise your anxiety levels.
Seek out positivity.
Try The Good News Network, Upworthy, or TED Talks. Hear an inspirational speaker on television? Seek out that person on social media and start following. Follow museums or concert venues, favorite restaurants, or authors of books you enjoy.
Elisabeth Deffner writes from Orange, California.
