Do you find yourself scrolling through Facebook before your feet have even hit the floor in the morning? Do you check social media before you fall asleep at night? Does it wind you up? What is the emotional cost of social media? It may not be a question you’ve ever considered, but there are costs.
Social media is great if you want to find a recipe or check out the latest photos of a grandchild, but social media is also a place where people air their dirty laundry, shout at you if your beliefs don’t match up with theirs and is a great way for people to simply be obnoxious.
What Is The Emotional Cost Of Social Media?
Have you ever noticed any of these?
- You feel emotionally drained once you stop looking at social media
- Do you feel yourself getting tense when you start scrolling
- Have you been involved in shouting matches with people who’s thoughts and values don’t align with yours?
- Do you get angry or sad when you’re scrolling
- Are most of your friends those you have on social media?
If you feel any, or all, of these, it is time for a social media break. I work with clients and tell them to do a social media detox. Do this by deciding that from 5 pm Friday until 8 am Monday or even a twenty-four hour boycott. You may even want to boycott the news for specific days and hours just to give your heart and emotions a break.
Social media is a great way to share information about your business and to perhaps connect with friends with whom you’ve lost touch, but if you find it is making you nervous, anxious or angry, it’s time for a detox. Have you ever stepped away from social media? How did it make you feel? Did you truly miss anything at all?