{"id":110069,"date":"2019-06-28T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T10:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=110069"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:44:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:44:30","slug":"how-to-stay-positive-when-social-media-brings-you-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-stay-positive-when-social-media-brings-you-down\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stay positive when social media brings you down"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wedding<\/p>\n

The rise of social media means we\u2019re more connected than ever before. And with the constant connectivity comes a whole lot of worry. Between cyberbullying and the welfare of our latest batch of teens, to the unknown effects of hours spent scrolling through a stranger\u2019s Instagram, there\u2019s a lot to chew on.<\/p>\n

Facebook executives have admitted that the platform might come with some adverse effects. And, there\u2019s no shortage of think-pieces covering the effects of filtered influencers and their effect on our self-image.<\/p>\n

Some studies have looked at social media use in connection with depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Others have found notable positives associated with connecting through these digital channels.<\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll look at the root of the negativity as well as some ways you can make sure you\u2019re approaching your social feeds in a healthy way.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Complete guide to self-improvement: mind and body<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Comparisons make for bad friends<\/h3>\n

Social media can make us feel socially isolated because we\u2019re comparing our reality to the curated highlights from other peoples\u2019 lives.<\/strong> You don\u2019t know how long it took to get that selfie, just-so, so try not to sweat it.<\/p>\n

As we scroll through our feeds, we tend to pass judgments on both ourselves and others, in an attempt to understand how we rank against our peers. While there\u2019s a biological reason for envy \u2014 it\u2019s a motivator, it\u2019s easy to get consumed with these negative feelings.<\/p>\n

This study<\/a> looked at how we compare upwards and downwards to determine if we\u2019re better or worse than our friends.\u00a0Generally speaking, we only feel bad when making upward comparisons, but downward ones can be toxic, too.<\/p>\n

How to fight the envy?<\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s important to take a step back and remember that most of this content isn\u2019t real.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Social media adds 24\/7 emotional burdens<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

How to have a healthy relationship with social media<\/h3>\n

There are, of course, some positive things about social networking. People naturally crave socialization, and social media can provide a way for people with social anxiety or less-developed social skills to make connections in a \u201csafe\u201d space.<\/p>\n

Additionally, teens in marginalized groups can find support online. LGBT teens and those struggling with depression often find support through social channels they don\u2019t get at school.<\/p>\n

So, how does one seek out the good stuff, only? Well, there are a few things you can do.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Top 7 mental health YouTubers<\/p>\r\n Read now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Limit your usage<\/h3>\n

The more time people spend on social media at a time, the more likely you\u2019ll feel isolated. Check in here and there, but make sure you\u2019re not spending hours at a time scrolling and scrolling.<\/p>\n

Additionally, it’s smart to quit the habit of checking your accounts first thing in the AM.<\/p>\n

Pay attention to your loved ones IRL<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that talking to a friend with their phone out is frustrating. Make an effort to stop doing this and ask your partner and friends to do the same.<\/p>\n

Try using different platforms<\/h3>\n

Facebook and Instagram rely heavily on these curated images. Make connections online through other channels. Reddit<\/a>, for example, allows you to have discussions sans photos.<\/p>\n

Or, Amino<\/a>\u2014a niche social network that prizes anonymity. This app is lesser known, but users post anonymously about their shared interests.<\/p>\n

Unfollow those who don\u2019t make you happy<\/h3>\n

\"social<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen examples of bad “friends.” There are the people who can\u2019t stop bragging about their perfect lives or their globe-trotting lifestyle. The downers who complain about their jobs or vague updates about how “a certain person” did them wrong. Then there\u2019s the political stuff, offensive jokes, the list goes on.<\/p>\n

Whatever the case, if you don\u2019t want to see it, you don\u2019t have to.\u00a0Curation is going to be the secret ingredient for happiness.\u00a0Unfollow the people that suck the joy out of the experience and simply mute those you \u201ccan\u2019t\u201d unfollow without hurting some feelings.<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

How to know if somebody has blocked you on Facebook<\/p>\r\n Find out now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

On your end, keep things positive<\/h3>\n

As you can imagine, negative remarks, sadness, aggression, and so on, don\u2019t make friends online.\u00a0That\u2019s not to say that you need to be fake, it\u2019s just that these platforms aren\u2019t exactly the place for airing out every grievance that passes through your mind. Keep your dirty laundry to yourself and vent to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist.<\/p>\n

Researchers from the University of Missouri found that Facebook use was linked to depression when it triggered envy. \u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n

That same study found when people used FB solely to connect with people, the social network had a positive impact on their wellbeing. Take that as an incentive to quit stalking your ex’s new mate.<\/p>\n

Beyond steering clear of broadcasting your negative vibes, make sure you fact-check any links to articles. And, avoid posting inflammatory political content.<\/p>\n

Follow the same values you use IRL<\/h3>\n

While some channels like Reddit let you post anonymously, people forget that even Facebook and Instagram posts aren\u2019t a digital barrier to hide behind.<\/p>\n

Instead, be the same person on the internet that you are in person.<\/strong> Be kind and don\u2019t say anything you\u2019d feel uncomfortable saying in real life.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, the jury is still out on social media and how it impacts our lives in the long-term. \u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of information out there covering the risks of social media. No matter how you slice it, using the networks affect everyone in a different way.<\/p>\n

If you can’t help but compare yourself to others, consider taking a little Facebook vacation.<\/p>\n

\r\n

More from Softonic<\/p>\r\n

\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

3 best apps for helping you sleep \u25ba<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

5 best white noise apps for drowning out distractions \u25ba<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

3 best apps for blocking spam phone calls \u25ba<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Top 5 apps to help you relax \u25ba<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Depressed on social media? You’re not alone. Here’s how to stay afloat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9161,"featured_media":110100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[2441],"tags":[1748],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-110069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-mental-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9161"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110069"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325785,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110069\/revisions\/325785"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110069"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=110069"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=110069"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=110069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}