The dangers of social media with your mental health

"Social media has become a staple in our daily lives, but it's important to remember that not everything we see on these platforms are real," says social media expert, Nic Fren.

As we move into what's set to be an uncertain year, Bespoke Media's CEO warns agents to be cautious of not falling into a negative space when it comes to social media consumption.

"Algorithms will pick up on content you spend time engaging with and will continue to show you similar content. It doesn't know whether it's good or bad for you, it just knows you engage with that kind of content, so it will show you more of it," he says.

"People often present a highly curated version of their lives online, only showing the best moments and hiding the less glamorous aspects," he says.

"We are all on different journey's and at different stages of our careers" he continues. "What works for one agent or one company might not work for another, and that's ok. We need to stop putting additional pressure on ourselves when we only see highlights reels, not the full movie," he explains.

This can lead to the false belief that everyone else's lives are perfect and our own are not measuring up.

But the truth is, we are all on different journeys and comparing ourselves to others online is not only futile, but it can also have negative impacts on our mental health. This can lead to a distorted view of the world and make us feel like we are the only ones struggling.

If you find yourself feeling deflated after scrolling on social media, here's 6 ways to combat that:

1. Limit your usage: Try to limit the amount of time you spend on social media to a reasonable amount. This can help reduce the negative impact it has on your mental health and well-being.

2. Be mindful of what you consume: Pay attention to the content you are consuming on social media. If you find that certain types of content or accounts make you feel negative, consider unfollowing or muting them.

3. Take breaks: It can be helpful to take breaks from social media to recharge and refocus. Consider setting aside specific times of the day or week when you will not use social media.

4. Use the tools and settings available: Many social media platforms have tools and settings that allow you to customize your experience and limit negative content. For example, you can use the "mute" or "unfollow" functions to remove certain accounts or hashtags from your feed.

5. Seek support: If you are finding that social media is having a consistently negative impact on your mental health, it can be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional.

6. Use social media for positive connections: Remember that social media can also be a source of positive connections and support. Try to use it to connect with friends and loved ones in a meaningful way, and to share content that is uplifting and positive.

Written by Bespoke Media Group