Helpful tips for using social media
Use trustworthy applications
There are lots of different ones out there, with more and more popping up each week. Do a bit of research and check out the reviews of the ones you are interested in online before using them. Ensure you get any reviews from a reputable source too as there is a lot of fake news going around.
Seek out positivity
Join groups where you already know the people in them or find some sites which focus on positivity, wellbeing and connectedness. There are lots of special interest groups focusing on wellbeing and self care. Try to avoid anything that you feel is having a negative impact.
Set clear boundaries
Think about what is acceptable to you and what isn’t. Think about what you are going to share online and don’t overshare. Consider how you will react if you see something you don’t agree with? People can sometimes be courageous behind a keyboard and say things online they wouldn’t say face to face. It’s better to scroll on by and leave them to it than to lose sleep over it! If that fails there’s always the ‘block’ option.
Limit your time
Social media can easily take over your life, especially if you install apps on your phone. It can be useful to consider how much time you want to spend connecting with others using this medium and to stick to the limit you set.
Disconnect before you go to bed
Don’t use social media before you go to bed. To aid relaxation and help good quality sleep it is recommended that you avoid the blueish light from computer screens, tablets and smart phones approximately 2 hours before you go to bed. The blue light can disrupt your body clock and melatonin production. If you really need to use a screen in the evening try using a red filter to reduce the effects of the blue light and rather than use social media try downloading a free app to help with relaxation