The current role of social media varies from person-to-person. While the time spent on social media, the reason for having an account, and the number of platforms (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) we have may differ, many of us rely on social media for entertainment, staying in touch with friends, sharing our interests/hobbies, and also current social and world events. However, with the rapid growth of social media recently, the line has become blurred on exactly what we should be turning to social media for and when it would be more appropriate to seek out more reliable resources.
There are a few ways that we can monitor not only our time spent on social media, but also filter out where we look for certain pieces of information. There is currently a lot of uncertainty in the world surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and what today or the next day may look like for us. As a result of the lack of control and knowledge, anxiety is a natural emotional response. While we may not know every step of the journey, there are ways in which we can feel empowered and take back our lives.
A large role includes seeking out resources on COVID-19 through websites that are credible and are founded in scientific research and facts. Such websites include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and major health care systems (such as Northwestern Medicine, Loyola, or your current primary care physician’s office). Making sure that the information we read or watch is updated and credible is vital in helping us remain safe, physically and emotionally.
Limiting our time on social media, even when we are not facing a pandemic, is always crucial. Our thoughts are highly impacted by the types of accounts we follow as well as the amount of time we spend using the apps. With anxiety and depression increasing as a result of social distancing, as well as being limited on what activities we are able to partake in; it is vital that we are being vigilant about our health, both physical and mental.
A few tips to keep in mind:
· Set a limit each day on the amount of time you will spend using social media. It is recommended that we only use social media 30 minutes a day, as this contributes to better health outcomes.
· Follow accounts that make you feel happy and safe.
· It is okay to unfollow accounts that are posting too much about COVID-19 or that are sharing information not based in facts but rather opinion.
· It is okay to completely log out or delete social media apps for the time being if you feel more anxious after using them – they will be there when you decide it is okay to use them again.
· If you feel an account is reporting incorrect information or you are simply unsure whether or not something is true, always make sure to do research on your own. This will help you refrain from reacting to false statements and allow you to get any anxiety you may have under control.
· The links provided below are credible and based on physician, scientist, and healthcare reports. They will help you avoid having any misconceptions on what COVID-19 is, the role it is having on society, and what to do moving forward.
Putting your thoughts and feelings as a priority is not selfish, in fact, it is incredibly brave. Setting boundaries with our friends and family and kindly informing them that you are taking a social media break or prefer not to get texts with information on COVID-19 is your right. We are all navigating this time of uncertainty the best that we can. Taking each day as it comes is all we can do to remain calm and safe. Whether you are someone who prefers reading up on COVID-19 daily or someone who knows they need to drastically limit their exposure to news, we owe it to ourselves to be sure the information we do absorb is factual.
If COVID-19 is causing great distress in your life, try engaging in self-care activities, such as reading, journaling, painting, or going on a walk. Limiting social media usage and only using dependable sources for information can prove invaluable during times like these. If necessary, please reach out to a mental health therapist for more support.
Sources to obtain information on COVID-19:
· https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
· https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
· https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/infectious-disease/covid-19
· https://www.loyolamedicine.org/coronavirus