Mindfulness & Social Media

Illustration: Jason Ford for the Guardian

With social media becoming more and more prominent, many begin to wonder how this is affecting our every day lives? Social media has become so embedded in our lives. We can be anywhere in the world and be met with our friend's post or celebrity/ social media influencer's posts that can trigger joy, resentment, sadness, laughter, grief, jealousy, and more. And no one, adults or children, are wired to take in that much emotional content all at once without reacting.

Did you know that research shows that social rewards and punishments feel the same in person and online? When someone interacts with us in a positive way online, we release the same neurochemicals in our brain that we would in person. And the sense of emotional attack activates the same part of the brain as a physical attack does. So emotional pain is just as painful as physical pain! We will explore more of this during Wellness Wednesdays.

While we cannot deny social media is here to stay, we can find ways to make new meaning from if and use it as an opportunity to create connection and mindfulness.

@steadsupply

Take the time to ask some of these questions next time you are browsing:

1. Why are you about to check this site out? What are you hoping to see or not see? 
2. By checking your social media are you interested in connecting or disconnecting and distracting?
3. Am I looking to be seen or validated? 

Other tips:

1. Talk about the things that really matter to you. It's easier to be present when you're being true to yourself. Steer away from personal branding and creating a persona where we focus on an agenda. 
2. Ask yourself if your post will harm anyone. It's easy to forget how many people may be reading your post. Think about it, two hundred people make a crowd in person, but online that number can seem insignificant. 
3. Experience now, share later. It's common practice to snap a pic and upload it right away to social media, but this overlaps our opportunity to truly be in the moment. 
4. Use mobile social media sparingly. Limit your cellphone access so that you have the opportunity to be present in your day to day life. 
5. Clean up your feed. Follow only the people and things that bring joy into your life and don't waste your time on people and things that have no impact on the things going on in your real life. 
6. Make it a habit to express gratitude and positivity on your timeline.
7. Turn your envy into inspiration. Instead of feeling jealous of someone's timeline turn it into positive energy and feel inspired. Instead of looking down at others, look up to them. How can you achieve your own great things?
8. Don't start your day with social media. While it's natural to reach for your phone, spend at least 20 minutes with a healthier habit like enjoying coffee/tea. mediating, or journaling. Even just talking to the people around you is a great way to connect with the NOW. 
9. Set aside a specific time for social media. Designate a time that works for you and use the remainder of the time to be present in your own life. This can help overbrowsing. 
10. Observe any negative self-talk or thoughts of comparison when using social media. When you notice this, listen, and gently shift your attention to something else.

Most of us log-on to try and find ourselves through our connections with others.  We want a sense of belonging and can often turn to social media. While sharing our lives online can enhance our confidence and create a feeling of connection, it also can reinforce some negative qualities. Keep this in mind as you're scrolling and ask yourself if it's maybe time to take a break. 

Resources

Mindful.org

Mindful ways to use social media

Mindful Practices

Mindbodygreen

Forever Conscious