How social media can benefit your self-employed wellbeing
Social networks have faced growing and justified criticism for various aspects of how they’re designed and operated. And in some freelance sectors, using them is a requirement of your job. But is it possible to get positives from using social media, even despite the potential for downsides?
How to define your plan and boundaries
- Set objectives and time limits for your social media use, whether it’s for work purposes or catching up with people.
- Turn off notifications as much as possible, and use a third-party app if you want to share content without ever being distracted by the interface of any social network.
- Try to avoid screen time for 30 minutes or more before bed, and keep your phone away from where you sleep to get better rest without interruptions.
- Use scheduling to avoid interrupting your day every time you feel the need to post something.
- Don’t be afraid to take breaks if you need them. Anything urgent will reach you via other routes, and everyone will still be there when, or if, you choose to return.
Staying in control of your social media and wellbeing
If you’ve put good practices in place to use social media to benefit your wellbeing, then it’s important to spot if they’re starting to slip. And to take action to avoid bad habits becoming part of your routine.
The most important gauge for whether social media is positive or negative in your life and career is whether you are in control, and if it’s delivering beneficial results. You might be fine checking for updates several times a day if it works for you, and checking your analytics shows it delivers new clients and customers on a regular basis.
But if it’s starting to feel like an uncontrollable impulse to browse notifications just in case something new has been posted, or you’re finding yourself feeling down after scrolling endlessly through updates with no real purpose, then it’s time to pause and consider redefining why, and how, you’re using social media.
It’s easy to slip occasionally, particularly at the end of a long or difficult week. But as with any potentially addictive substance or pastime, it’s important to be aware when something potentially beneficial, pleasurable or relaxing can turn into a potential problem.
How to stay in control of your social media use and wellbeing:
- Be aware of the occasional slip from your plan and routine becoming a repeated habit.
- Ask yourself every so often if your current approach is working and delivering positive results for your mental wellbeing, or your business.
- If impulsive bad habits are forming, don’t be afraid to take a step back or take a complete a social media break.
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