Despite the many benefits of social media such as more chances to connect with others virtually, social media isn’t without its downsides. It can be tough to stay positive and not feel overwhelmed especially if you spend a lot of time on social media for work. After all, social media marketing is one of the most effective ways to build your brand and increase sales today.
If you’re still reading this blog post, you’re looking for help as to how to keep your sanity and stay grounded. The tips below are practical but can be hard to follow since social media consumes so much of our time and attention. Follow these tips as best as you can and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t follow the tips perfectly.
Don’t check your social media as soon as you wake up
Focus on you and your immediate needs when you get out of bed in the morning. Sure, you can take your phone off the charger but resist the urge to check notifications. This includes not checking any text messages or emails. Go through your morning routine to meet your own needs which includes eating a healthy breakfast and brushing your teeth. Once you’ve gotten ready for the day, wait until you begin your work day to catch up on everything.
Why does this matter? You checking notifications puts you at the mercy of what everyone else expects from you. Everything from text messages to DMs are demands on your time and energy. By blocking off time for just yourself, you’ll have greater clarity of mind when you actually start your work day. You will feel more energized and in control of your life.
Set a timer to give yourself regular breaks
Block off intentional time to be on social media. It’s a good idea to limit the time you spend on social media. Sure, if you’re a marketer, you will be on apps like Facebook and Instagram more than the average person but it can be done. One suggestion is you can remove the Facebook app from your phone but just leave the Facebook Business Page manager app. This will help you avoid being sucked into the endless void of scrolling without missing notifications on your Facebook Business Page.
Schedule activities that remove you from screens and require you to be mentally present
Constant screen time leads to many different negative effects such as decreased sleep quality. Doing things like playing video games and being on social media can result in impaired dopamine function. Dopamine greatly affects the feeling of rewards when you do things like win a game or exercise. To help you regain mental balance, intentionally participate in activities that require you to be away from screens. This will help be mentally present and give your mind a chance to recover. Some activities that encourage you to be present and focused are:
Martial arts
Rock climbing
Surfing
Fishing
Gardening
Find activities that will engage different senses and provide a tactile experience. You’ll be able to make new friends and learn new skills while giving your mind a break.
Book in-person meetups if possible
Despite the world’s current health situation and depending where you are in the world, you can meet up with people. Having face-to-face interactions give you a chance to invest in real relationships. You’ll create greater trust in your relationships and avoid misunderstandings by meeting in-person. Doing this will give you greater satisfaction in life and help you build your brand in a way that social media marketing can’t.
Develop a night time routine
Another way to protect your mental health and invest in your physical health is by developing a night time routine. It’s important that you take steps to help you get enough sleep every night. One way you can do that is by not having any screen time an hour before your bed time. This means no movies, games, or social media. Following this practice will help your eyes adjust and relax your brain before you get in bed. Something you can replace your usual screen time with is journaling which will give you a chance to reflect and calm down.
You might find it ironic that you’re reading a blog post from a social media marketing agency on how to reduce screen time and spend less time on social media. It’s important to realize that what’s most important is your health, happiness, and the relationships you have in your life. Sure, you do what you need to in order to grow your brand and increase revenue but always create some balance by reclaiming your time.