While social media can be an incredible tool, it’s no secret that it can take a toll on your mental health. In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to address a topic close to our hearts: social media and mental health. We’re big proponents for putting the “social” back in social media, but also want to advocate for developing (and more importantly, maintaining) healthy relationships with social media.

That’s why we wanted to take a moment to delve into some actionable tips to help you grow your online presence while maintaining your mental well-being.

Set Boundaries and Time Limits

Set boundaries, take breaks when needed, and disconnect from the digital world when it becomes overwhelming. Taking care of your mental health is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment.

Establish specific time slots for social media usage — and stick to them! Avoid mindless scrolling by setting daily time limits and using apps that remind you to take breaks. (If you’re an iPhone user, you can follow this tutorial ◡̈ ). Create a healthy balance by allocating more time to activities that nourish your health and well-being.

Spend Time Curating Your Feed

Choose to follow accounts that inspire you, and make sure to unfollow or mute accounts that trigger negative emotions or feelings of inadequacy (let’s be honest: imposter syndrome is a big enough struggle as-is without the added pressure of seeing others do it “better”). Surround yourself with content that aligns with your values and you’ll be amazed at how this positively impacts your mental well-being.

Engage Mindfully

By setting boundaries and curating your feel, you’ll be able to be more intentional in your social media interactions. Engage with your audience genuinely, responding to comments and messages in a timely manner, and focus on building meaningful connections rather than chasing vanity metrics.

Hide Like Counts

While likes can be an important metric to track, it can also seem like a vanity number a lot of times — and that alone can take a toll on your mental health! There have been studies that have shown a person’s self-work is easily equated to “how well” a post performs on social media. In fact, one such study showed that 43% of teens were likely to delete a post because it “performed poorly.”

Be YOU!

Instead of striving for perfection, embrace authenticity. Share both the highlights and challenges of your entrepreneurial journey. By showing up vulnerability and being relatable, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, fostering a sense of community and support. Remember: your unique voice, story, and perspective are what make your business special! Authenticity breeds connection and trust, setting you apart from the crowd (aka: your competitors). Stay true to yourself and let your genuine self shine through on social media because, at the end of the day, that is what is going to resonate with your target audience the most.

Seek Support and Guidance When You Need It

Don’t hesitate to seek support when you need it! Join communities of like-minded entrepreneurs, consider hiring a social media manager (insert a shameless plug for our services here), or work with a mentor who can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and accountability. Surrounding yourself with a support system can help you navigate the social media landscape effectively.

Remember: behind every thriving business is a healthy and happy founder. As you navigate the world of social media, make your mental health and well-being a non-negotiable. We’d love to know ways that you’ve found to help with your mental health when it comes to social media. Leave a comment below and let us know!