One simple action to improve your mental health right away

Or how I cleaned up my social media feed and regained my sanity

We all know on a certain level that social media is bad for us.

Most of us have been guilty of death scrolling, hours and hours disappearing into senseless content.

What’s more, there is how social media makes us feel — often we start comparing ourselves to idealized version of someone else’s life, even if we cognitively know that it’s not real.

However, I’m not ready to give it all up. Instagram is my primary way to stay connected with friends outside of my innermost circle (I use whatsapp for that), and it’s also a way for me to stay up to date on things happening in my city — new restaurants, events, pop-ups.

So, how can you make social media work to your advantage, instead of it taking advantage of you?

The answer is simple: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad.

For me this meant accounts whose main purpose is to feature photos of beautiful people in order to sell the latest fashion, trends, or gadgets without giving you any other value.

Many influencers fall under this category — they post glossy images of themselves (oh hey I woke up all dreamy and beautiful like this) and make you feel like if you can just have the clothes or holiday home or skincare product they’re using, then you too can have a happy life.

Again, it doesn’t matter if your rational self knows that it’s all for show. The damage happens much more unconsciously.

Go through your need and do a gut check — when you see this photo or video, how does it make you feel? does it make you think? do you learn something? do you laugh? Or do you feel envious, inadequate? Wishing that your appearances, your possessions, your vacation style could be more like theirs?

If it’s the latter, unfollow. Your mental health will thank you.

Remember, you are in control of your social media consumption. Why look at things that make you feel bad day after day?

Let me know if you have tried this and how the results are for you. Personally I unfollowed most style and travel influencers with glamorous photos, and it’s been great for my self confidence and happiness.