3 Tips For Reducing Social Media Anxiety By Rebecca Lockwood

In a world where all we see is people sharing their best life, it can be an easy place to begin to compare your life to whats going on with other people. The truth is though, that you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with other people, and most people just share the good stuff!

At the beginning of 2019, I found myself getting really anxious when it came to social media. Even as a mental health advocate, who teaches a community of women about mental health, being the best version of ourselves and showing up as myself. I still have to work on myself daily, like any other human being.

Constantly thinking of how many followers I had accumulated, how many likes my pictures had generated on Instagram or shock horror had people even unfollowed me. This was getting out of hand, and so in February 2019, I deleted all my social media apps including Facebook messenger.

It was hard going cold turkey, to begin with, but what I quickly realised was the joy that came in the eye of the storm. I feel like a new woman! I had freed myself up, not only my time – from checking the dam phone every 2 mins, but the quality moments with my children. The conversations over the dinner table, which we now also removed TV & tablets from. My whole life and the quality of it has turned around, and the anxious feelings, well, they have completely gone too.

So what is social media anxiety?

Social media anxiety can be identified in a few different ways. If you ever feel yourself comparing yourself to others on social media, and if this makes you feel like you need to change something about your life in a negative way this is a good signal that you may be suffering from social media anxiety.

You may also find yourself becoming anxious when you do not check social media and feel as though you need to check it all of the time feeling anxious at the thought of having your phone in a different room to you.

Here are 3 tips to help you reduce the anxiety and live a more mindful life;

1. Turn off all notifications. You can start by turning off all of your notifications. This will really help you because your phone won’t constantly be pinging up at you all the time. Your mind will feel free from the clutter immediately.
2. Reduce your screen time. I know It’s easier said than done, but this is essential. It can be hard, to begin with. Leaving your phone in a different room can help ease you into this.
3. Delete your social media apps. If you were to delete your social media apps and just check social on your desktop you would reduce your screen time massively. Think about it, if you haven’t got direct access then it is harder for you to access. A great tip to fill the gap is to add something more educational onto your phone instead, so if you do still look at your phone as it’s a habit, you either have nothing to check, or you can tap into something that is actually going to support you to grow as a person.

If you would like some more tips on how to reduce your anxiety and overwhelm, you can grab a free copy of my book The Females Handbook: Step into your Personal Potential by heading to my website.

Twitter: @RebeccaLCoach

Instagram: @rebecca.lockwood

Facebook: Rebecca Lockwood

Website: www.RebeccaLockwood.org.uk

Join BEYOUROWN Membership Club to connect, network and feel inspired amongst many of our like-minded ambitious women just like you.