Staying Grounded in a Digital World
Social media is woven into our everyday lives. For many teens, young adults, and parents, scrolling has become a common way to relax, stay connected with others, and “catch up” on what’s happening in the world. While social media has its upsides, it can quietly affect our mental health in ways we may not notice. For example, you might find yourself feeling more self-conscious, distracted, restless, or less content after scrolling – subtle signs that your time online may be influencing your mood and overall well-being.
The good news? You don’t need to delete your social media to feel better! Making a few small tweaks in your online engagement can make a big difference in protecting your mental health.
- Check in with yourself while you scroll
Do you notice that some accounts leave you feeling inspired, while others leave you feeling anxious or drained? After spending time online, take a moment to check-in with your mind and body – how do you feel? Your emotional state after engaging with content can offer valuable insight into how your feed on social media is affecting your mental health.
As you become more aware of how scrolling affects you, practice noticing it in real time. Social media activates reward pathways in the brain, which can make it difficult to stop scrolling even when it’s no longer enjoyable or starts to cause mental strain. To stay intentional, find ways to prompt yourself for brief “check-ins.” For example, try setting a 15-minute timer when you open an app. When it goes off, pause to notice how you feel: are you relaxed or drained? Are you scrolling on autopilot or consciously engaging with content that feels good for you? These mindful pauses can help you regain control, strengthen self-awareness, and use social media in ways that support your mental well-being.
- Recognize the comparison trap
As humans, we are wired to compare ourselves – it’s part of how we make sense of the world around us. On social media, most people share their “highlights,” which rarely reflect their day-to-day reality. This can distort our perception, leading us to measure ourselves against carefully curated and filtered versions of other people’s lives. This comparison can trigger feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, or low mood.
If you find yourself slipping into the comparison trap, consider taking a pause to remind yourself that social media is not real life – it’s a snapshot, not the full story. This simple pause can help you shift perspective, ground yourself, and reduce the emotional impact.
- Reclaim your rest
Is scrolling your go-to during down time? Is it your last activity before bed? You’re not alone. Many people appreciate the mindless distraction of scrolling, but it often doesn’t restore the mind in the way that true rest does. In fact, late-night scrolling can disrupt sleep quality and make it harder to unwind. Try setting a “last scroll” time about 30-60 minutes before bed to give you brain space to settle.
Instead of scrolling, choose a calming, repetitive activity that helps signal to your body that it’s time to rest. This might include coloring, knitting, reading, or taking a warm shower. These gentle, low-stimulation tasks place less strain on your brain and support the natural onset of sleep, helping you to wake-up feeling more rested and clear-headed.
Social media isn’t inherently harmful – it’s an important tool in our everyday lives. The key to healthy online engagement is awareness. By noticing how social media affects your mood, challenging moments of comparison, and setting intentional boundaries around when you use it, you can cultivate a healthier relationship with social media. These small adjustments can protect your mental health and help you use technology in ways that support, rather than drain, your well-being.