Benefits of Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are an essential part of a healthy relationship. You may be asking yourself, “What are boundaries?” If you have never heard of a boundary, you are probably someone who can really benefit from them! Boundaries are limitations we set with other people. When setting a boundary, someone communicates what is and is not okay with them. By setting this boundary, they hope that the other person hears what they are saying and respects their wishes moving forward.  

As researcher Brené Brown says, healthy boundaries are an act of self-care. They allow us to prioritize our needs and safeguard our comfort levels. Healthy boundaries also allows us to speak up for ourselves! Brown states, “daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”

Are you interested in setting more healthy boundaries in your life? Do you want to learn how to do so effectively? If so, keep reading! 

Look Within

Setting healthy boundaries allows us to put our needs first! Before we can do so, we need to figure out what our needs even are! Taking a look within allows you to think about how someone treats you and what you would like to change. For example, imagine that you are unhappy in a romantic relationship. After some self-reflection, you realize that you don’t like how they communicate with you. You feel like when you have disagreements, your partner constantly interrupts you – this is especially frustrating when you are trying to share your point of view!

People-pleasers might constantly feel upset when people take advantage of their energy and time. People-pleasers have a hard time disappointing and saying “no” to others. Someone in their life might see this struggle and use it to their advantage by constantly asking for favors even when they know the people-pleaser is busy. 

Whatever it may be, give yourself space to acknowledge and validate your feelings – they matter!

Setting Boundaries

Let’s use the the people-pleasing situation as our example. As mentioned before, imagine you are a people-pleaser who feels overwhelmed with all your obligations. You have a friend who keeps asking your for help with their assignment, but you have so many personal due dates stacked! You wouldn’t mind helping them, but you are way too busy!

This is a great time to set up a boundary! You’ve already self-reflected and realized what you would want to make a boundary about. Now you have actually to set that boundary. If you feel intimidated at first, you can practice in the mirror or with a trusted friend for support. Be clear in what you will say, and highlight what you are/are not comfortable with.

In this situation, you could say something like, “I cannot help you with your work until I finish mine. If I have time to spare, I will let you know!” This statement lets the person know what you need from the situation and clearly stresses your limits. This boundary allows you to put your needs first! Try not to over-apologize, make up a million excuses, or compensate for your boundary – stand firm in your needs!

Sticking to the Boundary: The Most Important Step

Communicating openly and honestly can make you feel very vulnerable. You may fear how the other person will react to your boundary setting. As that Brené Brown quote mentioned before, there is a risk that someone may get upset with you. The important thing to remember is that you are not responsible for anyone else’s feelings. You may feel guilty setting a boundary, especially if you are a people-pleaser, but know that there is no need to! You should never feel bad about putting your needs first and honoring your comfort levels! 

It can be tempting to go back on a boundary because of guilt. Even though you wish to set this boundary, you may feel bad and think “just this one time” won’t hurt.

Sticking to boundaries is important because it shows other people how to treat these limitations. As Tony A. Gaskins Jr. once said, “You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” If you don’t even respect your own boundaries, other people may follow in your lead! You are worthy of upholding your boundaries and prioritizing your needs!

Other people may get upset or annoyed at your boundary setting. Remember that this reaction really says more about them than you. If you care about someone, you’d want to respect what they are comfortable and not comfortable with. If someone constantly disrespects your boundaries or tries to make you feel guilty about them, maybes it’s time to revaluate their place in your life.

Therapy Can Help

Overall, be proud of yourself for setting boundaries! Whether you are a beginner or pro-boundary setter, know that you’re doing a great job implementing self-love and care into your life!

If you want to learn how to set healthier, more effective boundaries, therapy can help! Therapy can help you develop tools to improve your communication skills in your life and have your voice be heard!

Also, if you relate to the people-pleaser mentioned in this article, read my recent blog post here. This article will help you determine if you are a people-pleaser! Many of my clients are people-pleasers or deal with anxiety and perfectionism! Let me help you live a happier and healthier life!

Overall, people pleasers are people who are always putting the needs of others first. These people often emphasize other people’s wants (often over their own hope and wishes). Their dedication to making others happy all the time can negatively impact their lives in many ways.

This blog will list 5 main ways to tell if you are a people pleaser! If you are interested, keep reading!

1. You Can’t Say “No”

People pleasers often find it challenging to say “no” to someone. If someone asks them to do something (even if they are already stressed and their schedules are at total capacity), the people-pleaser will feel obligated to say “yes.” 

People pleasers often feel like saying “no” is too harsh and consider using various excuses to soften the blow. For example, someone who is a people pleaser might come up with a very specific reason to get out of letting someone down. “I have to visit my sick grandma; I have a paper due tomorrow; I didn’t even start yet,”

Furthermore, if they end up denying someone, the people please will often try and make up for it by offering to help another time or doing something else for them. The people-pleaser may also apologize profusely for saying no or inconveniencing someone even slightly.

People pleasers will have guilt over disappointing others and often beat themselves up when messing up. They usually don’t practice self-compassion enough and lack self-care/love practices.

2. You Primarily Focus on Others’ Needs 

People pleasers, as mentioned before, care about others’ opinions seemingly more than their own. People-pleasers often think of what other people want instead of asking themselves what they want. Life can be challenging and stressful enough when dealing with all the pressures we individually face.

Visualize all the stress you face in life. It can be overwhelming to think about the obstacles and tasks you face each day piling on your shoulders – now imagine yourself adding the weight of other people’s opinions on you. You may start feeling crushed by all you have to uphold at once. 

As a result, people pleasers often feel stressed and overwhelmed. People pleasers may put on a smile and a calm appearance on the outside, but on the inside they feel anxious and burnt out.

3. You Don’t Know Yourself

As a result of always putting others’ wants and needs first, people pleasers often don’t know themselves. They are so concerned about making other people happy that they forget to make themselves a priority.

Often, people-pleasers feel obligated to do what others expect of them. This can cause them to put their dreams and desires on hold. Moreover, since they don’t get to know themselves as deeply, they may be confused and stuck over what they want in life. The life-satisfaction of a people pleaser may feel lower because they are either unhappy with what they are doing or don’t know themselves as much as they would want to.

4. Self-Care Feels Selfish

People pleasers need a reminder that self-care is not selfish! Someone who has a healthy relationship with pleasing others will know that even though you enjoy helping people, you still need to prioritize your needs. It is okay to set up boundaries and say “no” when you feel like you are taking on too much.

Self-care may feel like a waste of time for people-pleasers. These people feel they have so much on their plate and fear that taking time for themselves will cause them to disappoint others. The fear of disappointing others often triumphs over any other concern they have.

5. You Struggle With Self-Esteem

People pleasers might struggle with self-esteem issues. People pleasers are focused on making other people happy and satisfied. If they fail to do so, they might feel bad about themselves. The lack of validation from others can cause them to feel disappointed and blame themselves for messing up or not being good enough.

If someone constantly puts other people in front of themselves, it can be hard to foster a good relationship with who you are. Instead of taking the time to build your self-esteem and confidence, most energy is spent ensuring others are happy with you. The real question is: Are you happy with yourself?

Help Is Out There

If you relate to any of the things mentioned in this article, know that help is out there! Therapy can help you develop tools to deal with constant stress in your life and cope with people-pleasing tendencies!

My Message and Reminders to People Pleasers: If you are a people pleaser, I want you to know that it is okay to say “no” and put yourself first! You deserve to live your life for yourself and not anyone else! I want people pleasers to honor their boundaries and comfort levels – they should know that their needs matter just as much as anyone else’s. Your dreams and wants in life are important and you deserve to chase after them confidently! 

I specialize in helping people deal with anxiety. I also understand what it is like to strive for perfection constantly and desire to please people all the time. Let me help you live a happier and healthier life!

High-Functioning Anxiety: The Coach from Hell

This article will go over the signs of high-functioning anxiety! If you don’t know what high-functioning anxiety (HFA) entails, imagine feeling like your mind can never shut off for a moment of peace. You are never satisfied with what you are doing and are constantly pushing yourself to keep going, work harder, and be better than before. Your anxiety acts like an over-the-top sports coach, and it will not rest until you work yourself to the bone and make no mistakes.

In fact, I have some experience in the sports world myself…well, maybe more than a little. I fenced for 15 years. I was a member of the United States Women’s Saber National team, won 5 world championship titles, and went to Penn State on an athletic scholarship, where my team won three national championships. For two years, I even took off from school and trained for the 2008 Olympics!

What is HFA Like?

While “high-functioning anxiety” isn’t a technical clinical diagnosis, it’s a phrase that’s become increasingly popular in the past few years and includes a cluster of symptoms that most closely align with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a diagnosis that is found within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). People with high-functioning anxiety experience many symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. However, they do not meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis, even though their overall quality of life may be significantly impacted by their condition.

Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety

Someone with HFA will:

• Usually, live a seemingly “successful” or “motivated” life
  • Their anxiety pushes them to aim for perfection and work non-stop
• Channel their anxiety into goals-driven behavior
  • A key feature of high functioning anxiety is that it propels the person forward rather than leaving them frozen in fear
• Often, suffer silently and unknowingly to the people around them
  • Their work ethic and success make it seem like they have their life totally together, even if they are struggling internally
• Find it hard to appreciate their success, maintain any work-life balance, take breaks, or be proud of themselves 

When I was fencing, I experienced immense stress. My anxiety caused me to have sleepless nights, racing thoughts, experiences binge partying to take my mind off my stress. There were times when my anxiety affected me physically, and I even ended up fainting. People with HFA also experience nail/skin picking and tension in their back or jaw.

If anyone noticed anything was off about me, I would simply make excuses like,”I was jet-lagged.” Admitting to anything else felt like a weakness to me. I’m sure if you play sports, you can relate!

What is Really Under The Surface: Less Obvious Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety

Many people with HFA seem to have their life together. There may be someone you look up to in life. It looks like this person has it all – graduated top of their class, has a wonderful job, maintains relationships and friendships, etc. Although it all seems great from the outside, you can’t see what is going on on the inside.

People with HFA experience many things you may not realize. For example, you might not notice that these people have difficulty setting boundaries and saying “no.” People with HFA may seem very helpful and always willing to lend an extra hand. In reality, these people struggle with feelings of letting others down and, in turn, overextend themselves. 

HFA sufferers live their lives in a way they feel “should” happen rather than how they may want it to occur. They often want to make others happy and act in ways that satisfy the people around them.

They fear failure and disappointing others greatly. As a result, HFA causes people to become over-thinkers and people-pleasers. They also deal with racing thoughts/negative self-talk. Failure is very hard for people with HFA to cope with. 

After years and years of dedication, I did not make the Olympics. I missed the team by one spot. At the time, it felt like all the work I did and the sacrifices I made ended in failure. I felt like I let my whole support system down, which was all very challenging for me to deal with.

Help Is Out There

If you relate to any of the things mentioned in this article, know that help is out there! Therapy can help you develop tools to deal with anxiety in your life and cope in healthy ways!

My story is relevant because most of my clients have been following the “should do” path their entire lives, as I did. Much of the work I do with my clients is helping them to connect with themselves and what they want. Our work helps my clients break from the “should” and move towards their wants. I help them feel proud of themselves and be driven for more based on personal hunger, not fear. 

You do not have to continue living your life with constant pressure and stress. Moreover, you deserve to live a happier and healthier life! I specialize in helping people deal with anxiety. I also am able to empathize with the unique struggles former athletes encounter.  

Are you curious about the cycle of perfectionism?

Want to learn about ways to deal with perfectionism?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this article is for you!

What is Perfectionism?

We all can grow and evolve as time goes on. Self-development is an important part of maturing and evolving in life. However, aspiring to become the best version of yourself is not the same as perfectionism. Striving to be better is great, but having unrealistically high standards can negatively impact your life.

Do you relate to the defition of perfectionism? If so, keep reading!

Signs of Perfectionism

One prominent sign of perfectionism is procrastination. Perfectionism causes people to procrastinate their goals because they become too conscious of their abilities and fearful of their inadequacies. These people start to use phrases like, “one day I’ll do this,” or “after I achieve ___, I will start…” They believe that they can only attempt their goals once they improve or get as close to perfection as they can. As a result, this makes them push their dreams back more and more. 

Their perfectionist mindset makes many perfectionists lose opportunities and miss out on various experiences. 

The traits of a perfectionist are not as striking as you may assume; as discussed before, having a perfectionist mindset has become very common in our society, so you may not even be aware that it is present in your lives. 

Here are some subtle signs that you may be a perfectionist:

• As mentioned in the prior section, procrastination is a huge part of your life. As a perfectionist, you cannot complete a task unless you are confident you can do it flawlessly
• You consider the final product the most crucial aspect of any project. As a result, you may pay less attention to the process of understanding or completing the task to your highest capacity.
• Completing a task is not an option until it meets your strict standards
• You tend to take an unusually long time to perform a task that would typically take others no more than a few minutes

Perfectionism’s Negative Effects

If a perfectionist fails, the self-criticism and diminished self-worth that follows leads to increased anxiety, alienation, sadness, and more harmful impulses and inclinations. They’ll go to any length to avoid receiving further criticism – this causes them to focus on and worry about past failures. Constantly reviewing mistakes and thinking of what they can do better becomes part of their daily routine.

The constant cycle of perfectionism prevents you from discovering whether your idealistic ideas are correct. A person who has trouble delegating responsibilities to coworkers, for example, may believe that doing so is essential to maintain their high standards in the workplace. The perfectionist will not assess whether their ideals are correct if they refuse to delegate duties.

Burnout is one of the most challenging stages of the perfectionism cycle. We become so engulfed in the traps of a perfectionist, and it makes us think that breaking the pattern is impossible. However, burnout will infiltrate our lives if we do not try to break this cycle. By not slowing down or changing our ways, we might have no choice but to instantly go from 60 mph to zero. Becoming entirely burnt out will leave you with nothing else to deal with. All the things that were too vital to let go of in our pursuit for perfection will end up falling apart regardless.

Taking Steps to Heal from Perfectionism

Although we may not always be able to halt this cycle, we can attempt to slow it down. We can assist ourselves in avoiding some mental chaos by understanding the consequences of our actions. 

Be Kind to Your Mind

Perfectionism causes people to criticize themselves constantly. This mindset only focuses on the person’s flaws while forgetting about their accomplishments or positive attributes entirely. 

To fight against your perfectionist mindset, make it a habit to notice the good that you do. Ways you can accomplish this:

• Put together a list of each task you complete in a day 
  • Writing down your accomplishments allows you to see and acknowledge your achievements visibly 
  • This list can also help you catch any procrastination tendencies you are participating in. If you’re squandering a lot of time, you’ll instantly see it through the lack of tasks listed in front of you
• Repeat positive affirmations and phrases to yourself
• Take time to detach from work and relax
  • Perfectionists find it hard to take breaks and let go of their professional obligations. Creating a healthy work-life balance and allowing yourself to do things you enjoy will help you de-stress

Embrace What Makes You Human

Remind yourself that being perfect is unattainable! We all make mistakes and, although it can be hard to accept, this is a normal part of life. Without making mistakes, we would lack opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve. If you can accept the idea that you will mess up in life, this can lower your expectation to be perfect all the time. Worry more about working hard and making yourself proud rather than never messing up.

Challenge Procrastination

As mentioned in our past article, many people who struggle with perfectionism often procrastinate. The perfectionism mindset causes people to hold incredibly high standards for themselves and the work they do. Trying to achieve these standards is terribly challenging and can negatively impact someone’s view of their capabilities. In an attempt to escape these pressures and emotions, people will procrastinate accomplishing goals that make them stressed or anxious.

Procrastination can feel difficult to escape. Here is one way to challenge your procrastination: make a conscious choice to lower the bar of expectations before starting your work. Allow yourself to be free of the notion that you must give everything you have to whatever you do.

Tackle Each Goal Step By Step

Another way to fight procrastination and perfectionism is by tackling your goals in smaller, more attainable steps. Try breaking jobs down into smaller chunks – this makes tasks more manageable and makes you feel more accomplished as you check them off your list. Remember that done is better than perfect!

Consider Therapy

It is entirely normal to get overwhelmed when trying to decrease your perfectionism. If this is the case, trying out therapy may be a good option for you. Therapy can assist you in changing your perfectionism mindset increase your self-compassion when you make mistakes, and accept yourself for who you are. 

A therapist can also help you become the best possible version of yourself. So, if you need proper guidance in overcoming your perfectionism, do not hesitate to book yourself an appointment and learn lifelong strategies to overcome your perfectionism once and for all!

Are you an ambitious individual who struggles with setting realistic goals? 

Do you attempt to accomplish tasks but end up getting too overwhelmed to do so? 

Do you want to learn how to reach your goals in a healthier, more effective way?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, remember that you’re not alone! Many of my clients deal with this same problem. Most of the time, their goals are too high and unrealistic, so they never achieve them. This constant cycle leads to low-self esteem, feelings of being overwhelmed, and the belief that they aren’t doing enough.

Does this sound like you? If so, keep reading!

WHY DON’T I ACHIEVE MY GOALS?

The majority of people who are used to overachieving tend to set unrealistic goals for themselves, which makes them feel incredibly disappointed when they are unable to accomplish them. 

This disappointment and self-sabotage discourage them from leveling up or improving their lives. Some might even take such setbacks personally and never reach out for the stars, again.

However, the issue is not that they are incompetent or unqualified. The problem, instead, lies in how they set those goals. 

To stop this cycle of disappointment, you need to learn about setting realistic goals. Changing your habits can be challenging but will reward you in the end. I believe in you!

Think about the goals you keep pushing off- why do you keep doing this? 

SOME REASONS CAN BE…

• PERFECTIONISM: Many people who struggle with perfectionism resist achieving their goals. Perfectionism causes people to hold incredibly high standards for themselves and the work they do. When people are so critical of their abilities, it feels like whatever they do will never be enough. To avoid these negative feelings, people will procrastinate accomplishing goals that make them stressed or anxious.
• PROCRASTINATION: People can procrastinate, avoid completing tasks until the deadline is almost up, for many reasons. Some examples are not feeling qualified, fearing failure, lack of motivation, etc.
• CHANGING INTERESTS: Humans change with time. Our values evolve as we grow and learn, and so do the things that excite us. Perhaps the goals you’ve set in the past don’t excite you anymore. This lack of interest prevents you from putting in the work to accomplish them once and for all. 

TIPS FOR SETTING REALISTIC GOALS:

Let’s take a look at some successful strategies for setting realistic goals and achieving your plans:

1. PICK GOALS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU

Reflect on what truly matters to you. Some self-reflection can help you choose meaningful goals:

• What is something(s) I’ve always wanted to achieve?
• What do I value and appreciate in life?
• Can I think of what would make me happy?
• What would I set my mind to if the opinion of society and other people didn’t matter?
• When I picture my future, what am I doing? Where am I? Who am I with?

Journal using these prompts to explore your interests and passions. Look back on these entries whenever you feel lost or discouraged about your path. Update these pages if your goals evolve or change as your life progresses. 

Focus on the goals that really matter to you, and spend less time on ones that are not urgent.

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the best strategies you can use for identifying and choosing goals that matter to you. ACT helps you embrace the reality of feelings and thoughts that you usually keep suppressed for various reasons.

ACT allows you to become more mindful of yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings. You’ll learn how to be honest with yourself about what you want in life, despite any societal pressure or any other discouraging factors. As the name suggests, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy not only requires you to accept your inner goals but also commit to achieving them! You will find solutions and take actions that further your progress, which is accomplished by embracing your true self and values.

2. USE JOURNALING TO EXPLORE YOUR GOALS

A goal without a plan of action and initiative is merely a wish. Writing down your goals and making solid plans makes them more real, and people tend to take them more seriously.  

• What are 3 goals I want to achieve today, this month, and throughout the year?
• How long will it take to achieve these goals? 
• Why do I want to achieve these goals?

Such questions help you gain perspective on your dream and how much each goal means to you. It is crucial to realize the importance of your goals – this helps you stay motivated enough to achieve them.

Try to answer these questions in as much detail as possible- this will highlight exactly what you want to do! You can also further bifurcate your goals into smaller steps. For instance, if your goal is to expand your small garden, then your steps would be:

• First, Searching for inspiration in gardening magazines, forums, or articles online
• Second, studying this information and further your learning about each plant and their needs
• Third, purchase the materials and start planting those seeds.

Creating these smaller steps makes the bigger goal seem more approachable and welcoming to begin. These steps make it easier for you to understand what you need to do to achieve your goal and, hence, make them less overwhelming. This is a great step in setting realistic goals!

3. ATTACH REALISTIC TIME STAMPS TO YOUR GOALS

Not specifying a time limit for your goals is as dangerous as not writing them down. To achieve your goals, you need more structure in your planning. Implementing realistic time limits is useful! For instance, think of a realistic amount of time that would allow you to move into a new apartment. With the income you receive now, how long would it take you to save up the money you’d need? 

Do not expect to achieve your goals in too little time. If you expect to save all the money you need for a new place in only two weeks, that is unrealistic, and you will feel disappointed.

4. PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY

When you reach certain steps in this process, be proud! Remember to reward your progress, big or small, and to appreciate the work you are doing. The more you show pride in your achievements, the better you will feel! These good feelings will help encourage you to focus on reaching your goals.  

Achieving your dreams can be a lengthy process. Have patience with yourself and your journey in life. Remember to practice self-compassion in times when you mess up or fall – as humans, failure is bound to happen from time to time. Progress isn’t linear – there will be twists and turns on every road to success. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and eventually pick yourself back up.

Follow these tips to get better at setting realistic goals! Also, if you are interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I provide these services! I also can help anyone struggling with depression from perfectionism or anxiety when trying to achieve their goals. Contact me to learn how to help you achieve your goals and accept yourself!

Do you want to develop healthy social media habits? This article can help!

As a society, we are very attached to our phones. Since social media has become such an integral part of our lives, we usually don’t realize how much time we waste scrolling through our feeds daily. Can you remember a day when you didn’t send a tweet or liked a photo online? This over-dependence on social media can cause harm to its users. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Mental Health, social media impacts users’ mental health. Liking, commenting, sharing, and uploading are activities that take up a lot of our time. The truth is that people usually only post their best moments online – as a result, we only get to see the flashy and elegant photographs that others have posted. The harder, less glamorous things they go through in their daily lives remain hidden. Consequently, we can start feeling like our lives are not as good as the ones we view digitally.

Social media is beneficial in many ways; it allows people to share ideas, connect with people all over the world, spread awareness, and entertain us. To foster the positive effects of the digital world, we have to focus on building healthy social media habits. This article will talk about how to use social media constructively while simultaneously taking care of your mental health. Before we get to the tips, let’s review the hazards of improper social media use:

THE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

• Social Media Stress: The constant use of your phone can negatively impact your life. You may become overly attached to your phone and feel stressed when you attempt to put it down. You may also feel anxious about getting a certain amount of comments or views on your posts. When you post a picture and it receives fewer likes than usual  it can be a huge blow to your self-esteem and worth.
• Constant Comparison: We all are guilty of comparing ourselves to others online. Remember that social media is not reality – just because someone is smiling in their instagram post doesn’t mean they are smiling on the inside. When you compare yourself to others, you start to feel bad about your own life and experiences. This comparison is robbing you of appreciating the precious moments of your life.

• Missing out on Life Offline: When you are so consumed with the digital world, you might miss what is happening around you. It is great to stay connected online, but don’t let your scrolling stop you from making memories and connections in person. the internet will always be there, but the moments of our lives are fleeting. 
• Anonymity and Animosity: The internet allows people to do or say whatever they want. As a result, some people feel like they can comment mean or hurtful things on social media platforms with no consequences. People also can adopt fake identities and scam innocent people for their money, private information, and more. Remember to always be careful and cautious when using social media!

Now that we covered the negative effects of social media misuse, let’s get into some ways to use social media more beneficially:

5 TIPS FOR HEALTHY SOCIAL MEDIA HABITS

• IMPLEMENT A DIGITAL DETOX DAY: One great way to develop healthy social media habits, is to do a digital detox! This detox can be very beneficial! When you are constantly on social media, your mind remains in active mode. Your nerves never get the calm that’s needed to relax and sleep. As a result of this excessive screen time, you feel sleepy and lethargic during the day. So, once a week at least, have a digital detox day by putting your phone away and spending time with loved ones in real life. 

• STOP LETTING COMPARISON STEAL YOUR JOY: When you see other people post about their thriving lifestyle or success, you can start feeling bad about your own situation. This comparison can start harming your confidence or relationships with others. For example, you start blaming your partner for not making enough money to treat you or take you to fancy dinners like you see other couples do online. This comparison causes arguments and disappointments in your relationship. Stop comparing yourself and your life to the ones you see on your feed! Remind yourself that you are on your own unique path. You will accomplish your goals and dreams at the right time! Stop striving for a perfect life – this will only cause you stress and an overall feeling of disappointment.

• SCHEDULE YOUR SCROLL: Likewise, it is always advisable to make a schedule for your social media usage. If you notice that the constant scrolling of social media is affecting your functionality, try this method. For example, plan to set aside 20 minutes for Instagram, 10 minutes for Twitter, 30 minutes for LinkedIn, or 15 minutes for Snapchat. This technique can help you curb your social media usage and save yourself from its hazards. 

• SPREAD POSITIVITY: One great tip for creating healthy social media habits is to spread some positivity around! Be the change you wish to see in other people’s lives, or in this case, feeds. Spread optimism and take pleasure in your social media experience by posting motivational images or videos. You can be making someone else’s day better with your posts!
• SOCIALIZE WITH PEOPLE OFFLINE: Stop scrolling for a second, and appreciate the people around you. How many times do you use your cell phone when you are with loved ones? When you are spending time with friends, you may not be fully present because you are tuned into the virtual world. Sitting with them absent-mindedly and trying to spend genuine quality time with them are two very different things. Start being mindful of your time and cherish the moments spent with your loved ones. Detach from your phone and immerse yourself in the present!

THE VERDICT

Overall, social media has many positive and negative factors. Since we live in a society immersed in its use, it is beneficial to find healthy ways of navigating these platforms. I hope this article helped you learn more about social media healthy habits and makes you enjoy your daily scroll more!