May was Mental Health Awareness Month, but we believe we should work to destigmatize and shed light on mental health matters all year long. In light of COVID-19, it is more vital than ever that we pay attention to our mental health.
Between job insecurity, loneliness due to social distancing protocol, and fear of becoming ill, Americans are stressed. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that “over half of U.S. adults (56%) report that worry or stress related to the coronavirus outbreak has caused them to experience at least one negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing.”
Social media offers virtual connection when in-person connection is impossible. However, during this time, the Internet can be filled with negativity, and it’s possible that heightened screen-time may be worsening rather than improving our mental health. Digital marketing professionals have it extra bad—it’s our job to stay connected!
Whether you’re a web designer, social media manager, or SEO expert, you’ve likely found your screen-time has doubled since lockdown and work-from-home policies began. Digital marketers can’t get off the grid entirely, but they can take steps to take control of their online presence to safeguard their mental health. Here are 7 tips for staying sane online during the coronavirus pandemic:
Control who you follow.
Whether it’s your personal or business account, there are no rules that dictate who you must follow. If you realize you feel worse after seeing an account’s post, whether because they tend to be negative or they give you the dreaded FOMO, don’t feel bad about hitting that unfollow button. Easier said than done sometimes, we know. If it’s a family or friend you feel guilty unfollowing or unfriending, try Facebook’s handy “take a break” option.
Turn off notifications.
In the same vein as following others, there are no rules that dictate what notifications you must have. Half the stress (and addictiveness) of social media comes from seeing all those shiny notifications pop up the second you open your phone. Cut out all notifications (except the really important ones) so you can handle things at your own pace. The same goes for in-app notifications—you don’t need to be notified every time CNN publishes an article on the coronavirus death toll.
Limit negativity.
On that grim note… You only need to take in enough news to stay informed. That’s not as much as you may think! Hundreds of newsworthy events happen across the globe every day, and with social media, you can theoretically know about all of it immediately. Except you’re only one person, and you have problems of your own! Find that sweet spot of how much news you can consume each day without it taking a toll on your mental health, and keep to that limitation.
Set time limitations.
Not only does the breadth of stressful news you consume matter, but also how much time you spend consuming it. You may follow only one news source, yet find yourself scrolling on the New York Times news page for hours. Luckily, Apple offers screen time reports for your iPhone or iPad and can notify you when you’ve been staring at your screen for too long. Your eyes will thank you!
Make time to disconnect.
Nothing is more refreshing than eating a nice meal, taking a long walk, or curling up in bed with a good book, but making time for those non-electronic pleasures can be tough when our phone is always right beside us. It’s even harder when our work is online. This is where good old-fashioned self-control comes in. And if that fails, there’s an app for that.
Seek help if you need it.
Last, but perhaps most important, remember that you’re not alone—even if you are, physically. So many are struggling more than usual these days. Though social media isn’t going anywhere (so it’s a good idea to build smart habits), COVID-19 eventually will. Check out the CDC’s guidelines on coping with stress in light of the pandemic.
Web Rocket Media is a digital marketing agency in Long Island, New York. We create desirable, usable, useful, and valuable digital products for clients. If you’re looking for SEO services, look no further than Web Rocket Media digital marketing agency. Contact us today!