How to Get the Most Out of Your Instagram Feed (Without Disrupting Your Mental Health)
Anyone spending time on Instagram will know that it can be a hotbed of comparison and anxiety. If left unchecked, this can escalate into more serious mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Far be it for us to tell you to delete your Instagram account (we love it too much!), but there are some things you can do to mitigate the impact it has on your mental health.
Let's take a look at some of the best ways to get the most out of your Instagram feed, all while caring for your mental health.
Understand Your "Why"
Understanding the deeper meaning behind why you use Instagram is crucial in ensuring that it doesn't negatively impact your well-being. Too often, people "doom scroll", or scroll mindlessly through their feeds and others. This leads to a rabbit hole of comparison, which takes you out of your power simply because one doesn't measure up to the very curated highlight reels they see. But when you know your “why”—maybe it's staying connected to far-flung family and friends, or sharing your creativity with the world—you can use social media in a way that enriches your life rather than diminishes it.
For example, if you use Instagram to connect with friends and family, make sure you take the time to do just that—reach out and send a message or two. And if you use it simply for entertainment, set time limits so that you don't find yourself stuck in an endless scroll. If you decide to use it to stay up-to-date on current world events, make sure to follow accounts that provide accurate information—not just those that align with your worldview.
Everything is about intention, and when you take the time to set clear goals around what you aim to achieve from social media, it can be a beneficial and productive tool.
Keep Your Feed Positive
With so much gloom and doom in the world today, do you really need to be bombarded with negativity on your feed too? This is where Instagram feed curation comes in handy!
It's more of a hassle than letting the almighty algorithm do its thing. But taking the time to curate your feed so that it's filled with content that makes you feel good will always be worth it in the long run. If you're not sure where to start, have a look at the accounts you already follow. Unfollow anyone who regularly posts content that makes you feel bad about yourself. This includes people who post relentless "perfection", those who excessively show off their wealth, and anyone whose general vibe is just off-putting to you. Trust your intuition, as your initial gut feeling and bodily reactions, will guide you in the direction as to what content is and isn't for you.
For instance, if you're a person of color practicing yoga, you might want to follow awesome Yoga influencers on Instagram who are closer to your experience, instead of just following the first person who pops up in your feed. This way, you're more likely to find content that's enjoyable and informative, keeping your mental health in check.
Interact With Caution
Interacting with other Instagram users through likes, comments, and direct messages can be great fun. Who better to connect with than people who share your interests?
Though, remember that not everyone on social media is who they say they are. Plus, there are plenty of online scams that happen in the name of spirituality. In addition, it's easy to become embroiled in arguments with strangers. If you find yourself in a state of unease after interacting with someone on Instagram, take a step back and reassess the situation.
It's okay to unfollow someone if they regularly post harmful or triggering content. If you constantly get into online arguments, it might be time to take a break from interacting altogether. Social media should be fun—not something that causes you stress or anxiety.
Remember, you're just one person, and correcting someone online who has different opinions than you isn't going to change the world. It won't even change their mind most of the time. So ask yourself if it's worth getting into a fight over something that doesn't matter all that much in the grand scheme of things.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Break
Ultimately, you can take all these steps to make your Instagram use more positive. But sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to take a break from social media altogether. It might seem drastic, but it can be eye-opening to see how much time you waste scrolling through your feed. If you use Instagram more than you'd like, try setting some limits and go for a digital detox. There are plenty of apps available to help you limit your screen time!
Maybe you only allow yourself to use it for an hour a day. Or maybe, you take a break from using it for a week or two and see how you feel. The important thing is that you control your social media use, not the other way around.
Being more mindful of how you use Instagram will help you get the most out of it without negatively impacting your mental health. Knowing why you're on Instagram avoids the rabbit hole effect, and you can be more thoughtful about the content you consume and share.
Listen to your body and mind, and give yourself a breather whenever you feel the need. Social media should be fun, not something that causes you distress. Make Instagram a positive part of your life---not something that takes away from it.
Written by:
Sophia Young
Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, and can probably even whip up a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can totally go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.