Putting Social Media in Its Place

You have probably heard the phrase “everything in moderation” a couple hundred times
and maybe even used it yourself to bring some balance to your lifestyle. As our society
continues to become more “screen-obsessed,” why is it that this moderation barometer
seems to fade into the distance when it comes to daily social media use?
Social media has been in the hot seat for a number of years; receiving a lot of shame,
criticism, and negativity. What if, instead of counting all aspects of social media as
harmful, we managed our usage in a way where social media is serving us rather than the
other way around. Social media can be a wonderful place of connection but let’s make
sure we are moderating our wellness up against social media regularly.

Physical Wellness vs. Social Media

Often when we think of scrolling social media, I am sure you think of the same picture I do
- someone on a couch, shoulders hunched, neck lowered, tense face, and a speedy
thumb. Typically a user is not walking around, moving their body or focusing on great
posture. The average person in the United States spends around 2 hours and 30 minutes
on social media alone... imagine how much strain this puts on our body as we lower our
neck to read about our pal’s backpacking trip to Costa Rica. With so much pressure on
our spine and shoulders, it is important we stay mindful of the time spent, not only on
social media, but also on screens below our sightline so we do not put our physical
wellness at risk.

Emotional Wellness vs. Social Media

Be intentional. Mindless entertainment is such a gift after a long day, but how often do we
consider that in those moments, our minds are still receiving information? In the morning,
before we take on the stresses of the day, is it helpful to be so intertwined with hundreds
of other people’s lives while still in bed? Or could it be helpful to meditate, read an
inspirational quote, or spend time drinking coffee with a loved one before you scroll?
Being mindful of when we scroll, for how long, and for what purpose might put healthy
boundaries around the right amount of time to spend on social media.

Social Wellness vs. Social Media

Facebook, Instagram and platforms of the like, are a great way to stay connected and
enhance the relationships we choose to keep in our lives. We can not always stay up to
date with every person in our circle, so getting to watch our best friend’s baby take her
first step becomes a moment we feel we were apart of. Apart from the positives, if you
feel that you may have lost social relationships outside of liking a few pictures here-and-
there, try pulling up that person’s contact after seeing a picture and shooting them a text
to bring things to a more personal level - start a longer conversation. Maybe it’s been a
while since you’ve hoped on the phone with that person or met for coffee, could you
pursue that interaction? Humans are hardwired with a need to belong and feel accepted,
pursing this outsider of social media might bring you a deeper sense of connectedness
that you desire.