Negativity Has a Stronghold on Your Attention
In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. The thing is our feeds are often flooded with negativity, controversy, and drama. We've collectively created a social media culture that pushes this type of content because...well...we keep watching it. This constant exposure to negative content can take a toll on our mental health, especially for men who are already struggling to open up about their emotions. So, how can we combat this issue and cultivate a more positive mindset through our social media usage?
One way to promote a healthier relationship with social media is to deliberately seek out and engage with positive content. This means being intentional about what you watch. When I ask myself "Do I really want to watch this content?" sometimes I find that I'm embarrassed by how much time I've spent scrolling through non-educational videos that don't even relate to a hobby or interest of mine. Asking myself that question has helped me scroll passed junk videos that I've wasted time on in the past. If you do this as well, you're not only enriching your own mental well-being but also retraining the algorithms that determine what content is shown on your feed. As American entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." In the digital age, you can also apply this principle to the content you consume online.
Time to Purge
Start by unfollowing or muting accounts that frequently post negative or controversial content. Backyard fights, political arguments that aren't designed to be constructive, and content that promotes a negative worldview immediately come to mind. Instead, seek out pages or influencers that share uplifting stories, motivational quotes, and inspiring achievements. The more you engage with these positive posts, the more likely you are to see similar content on your feed. Eventually, you'll create an online environment that supports your mental health and overall well-being. This will also help you really zone in on what your hobbies and interest are which can be immeasurably helpful in structuring your time and doing things to prioritize your mental health.
The reality is, social media platforms are designed to keep us engaged by showing content that elicits strong emotional responses. According to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, negative content is more likely to go viral because it captures our attention more effectively. By consciously choosing to engage with positive content, you're taking control of your digital experience and fostering a healthier mindset.
Reframe Your Worldview
Incorporating positive content into your daily social media routine doesn't mean you have to ignore the struggles and difficulties in life. It's not about advocating for burying our heads in the sand and pretending that sickness, violence, and hardships don't exist. Instead, it's about finding a balance and focusing on the things that uplift and inspire us. As author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, "Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." By actively seeking out and consuming positive content, you're reinforcing a more optimistic worldview and developing a stronger mindset.
Remember, self-care is crucial in managing your mental health, and this includes the content you consume on social media. By being intentional about the content you engage with, you can significantly impact your overall well-being and create an environment that supports your mental health journey. You might find some new hobbies along the way or lose a few that you only had interest in because of outside life circumstances. In doing so, you're not only helping yourself but also contributing to a more positive online community.
Take Control Today
As men, it's important to remember that mental health is a biopsychosocial issue, and there are real chemical reactions happening in our brains and bodies that can influence our mental well-being. Taking control of your social media experience is just one of the many ways you can actively work on improving your mental health. So go ahead and take that first step – "Break the Silence, End the Stigma," and harness the power of positivity in your life. Make sure to make a positive impact on the people around you today and take care!
John
About the Author:
John Lockman is passionate about promoting men's mental health. Having lost a family member to suicide at an early age, he is committed to raising awareness about the disproportionate number of men affected by this devastating issue. Through his own personal experiences and his website, www.thelockmanlounge.com, John hopes to help men think differently about how to prioritize their well-being and become more comfortable acknowledging and processing their feelings in a healthy way.
In addition to his passion for mental health advocacy, John also has almost two decades of experience in the business world. Most recently, he oversaw roughly 100 million dollars of annual revenue and was responsible for managing a team of 75 employees. In this role, John had a significant impact on customer service, profitability, employee retention, and marketplace growth. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, John is a seasoned professional with valuable insights to share.
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