Social media gets a lot of flack for having a negative effect on people’s outlook on life and their feelings towards their appearance.
Instagram was recently ranked the No. 1 worst social media outlet for mental health.
The Royal Society for Public Health states Instagram was found to have the most negative impact on people’s body image, sleep, and fear of missing out on experiences had by others. With all the insta-models, travel bloggers, foodies, and “baddies” online, it can be difficult to scroll through your feed and not feel like you’re doing something wrong with your life, or that you don’t look good enough. But social media doesn’t have to be all bad. In fact, there are plenty of ways to enhance your social media accounts to where they serve you in a positive way and everything that comes on your feed lifts you up instead of tearing you down.
Photo by: Lexus Jacobs
Here are a few simple steps to a positive and inspirational feed:
1. Start over. A new beginning is the best way to create a positive social media space. It’s a lot easier to create a new account than to go in and individually unfollow people you don’t want to see on your feed anymore. This also gives you a fresh start to follow people who align with your values and have a positive impact on your life.
2. Block the negativity. Don’t feel that you have to follow everyone you followed on your old accounts. If someone you followed in the past gave you bad vibes or hurt you in anyway, you don’t need to see them on your feed every day. Don’t follow them back if they follow you, and if you don’t even want them seeing about your life, the block button works wonders.
3. Follow people who inspire you. What do you want your life to look like? Are you really into cooking or fashion or poetry? Build your feed around what you enjoy and only that. Follow accounts that post words of affirmation, inspire you in your career field or just generally make you happy.
For example, I follow Alexis Howick (@alexishowick) because she is a graphic designer working in the music and fashion industry— things I would love to do one day. I follow concert photographers, like Kurt Cuffy (@kurtcuffy) for inspiration to get better at my skills as a photographer. I follow a creative named Claire Michelle (@plantifulsoul), because she is constantly proving that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and she is a great source of light on my daily feed.
Only follow accounts that you believe will benefit your mental health. Less jealousy and judgement and more inspirational content.
4. Say positive things about yourself.
It’s not unusual for people to post self-loathing statements and photos about themselves on social media. A way to build a healthy relationship with social media is to use it positively. Don’t post a selfie complaining about the pimple on your chin, say how adorable you are even with your flaws. Hype yourself up, instead of putting yourself down on your account.