How to Sustain Well-Being Despite Social Media Pressures
Before we begin…
I’m revisiting social media, due to its role in shaping leadership. Its impact can have a long lasting positive or negative effect on well-being depending on individual factors like personality, habits, emotional resilience, and how the leader chooses to engage with it.
Let’s Talk Leadership!
Social media plays a significant role in shaping leadership. It influences how leaders communicate, build influence, and maintain trust with their audiences. It can have positive and negative effects on mental health.
Best Practices for Leaders on Social Media:
Stay Authentic
Transparency builds trust; but it’s essential to strike a balance between openness and professionalism.
Listen and Engage
Respond to comments and feedback meaningfully to foster connection and loyalty
Use Social Media Strategically
Focus on sharing content aligned with your leadership goals and values.
Monitor and Reflect
Pay attention to online sentiment to adjust strategies without compromising your vision.
Sustaining Well-Being Despite Social Media
Do you know…
About Cheslie Kryst? the former Miss USA 2019?
She was a lawyer, TV correspondent, and mental health advocate. Despite her public success, her well-being was deeply affected by the pressures and criticism she faced on social media.
Kryst openly shared how online trolls attacked her appearance, age, and career choices, with some saying she was too old (28) to compete in pageants. In interviews, she talked about the toxic impact of constantly comparing herself to others on social media and feeling much pressure to meet impossible standards.
In January 2022, Kryst tragically took her own life. Before her passing, she had written about struggling to balance personal joy with external validation with the expectations of a hyperconnected world. Her case sheds light on how due to public scrutiny, even accomplished leaders with public platforms can suffer from social media’s impact on mental health.
How Can I Sustain Well-being Under Social Media Pressures?
With social media you have access to resources, inspiration, and supportive communities. But it’s up to you to approach social media mindfully. Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, first. Get regular exercise, eat nutritious meals, prioritize sleep, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Here are some ways to achieve overall wellness despite social media pressures.
Set Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries around social media use to prevent burnout. Set designated times to check emails and messages, and create periods of uninterrupted time for focused work, relaxation, and personal activities. Enjoy the company of others without the use of social media, especially during lunch.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help with social media’s negative effects. Try to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine.
Take breaks throughout the day.
Practice deep breathing, meditation, or mindful walking.
Pay attention to the present moment without judgement
Cultivate awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
With mindfulness, you can identify the triggers that lead to the excessive or unhealthy use of social media. It’s about intentional and purposeful actions to avoid falling into mindless scrolling. It’ll help you manage social media stress better.
Social Media and Spirituality
Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become popular spaces for people to share their spiritual journeys. These platforms offer guidance, inspiration, and support with opportunities for dialogue, learning, and growth. Plenty of Instagram accounts are dedicated to mindfulness, mediation, and yoga, with different spiritual traditions. Yet, many people seek validation and recognition online. Be cautious with the qualifications of some online spiritual influencers.
Disconnect Regularly
Disconnecting from social media regularly is essential for maintaining balance, perspective, and well-being. It helps you reduce stress, anxiety, improve focus, and be more productive. You get better sleep quality too when you take regular breaks and disconnect from the constant stream of notifications. Set boundaries and prioritize real life experiences. Spend time outdoors, engage in hobbies, read a good book, or simply connect with loved ones – offline—to replenish your energy.
Delegate
Lighten your workload to prevent burnout, it allows you to focus on high-priority tasks. Avoid trying to do everything yourself and instead delegate to others.You can promote growth and development, while reducing your own stress by entrusting and empowering others.
Seek Support
Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or colleagues when feeling overwhelmed. If you feel stressed, share your feelings and concerns openly, and lean on your support system for guidance. Seek professional help if need be, they can provide you with the right support to manage mental and emotional well-being.
Set Realistic Expectations
Avoid comparing yourself to others to prevent the negative feelings that come with self-comparison. Set realistic goals and priorities, and communicate boundaries and limitations openly.
Practice An Attitude of Gratitude
Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life. Express gratitude regularly for the blessings, opportunities, and achievements. Be empathetic to others, it’s simple, but effective, online and offline.
The impact of social media depends on how you choose to engage with it. You can integrate your digital, personal, and professional life in an enriching way by seeking out meaningful connections and staying true to your values.
Have a good weekend!
—-Dr. Aguilar
