The Coronavirus has altered our way of life from working from home as the new norm to the new concept of social distancing. Reports of deaths and cases, the idea of community lockdowns, it doesn’t come as a surprise that many people – even those who never struggled with mental health- develop anxiety and panic.
The truth is, it is normal. Don’t panic that you’re feeling anxious and extremely worried these days. Anxiety is our natural way of coping to the unknown. After all, most of these things that are happening right now are all new to us from the virus to community quarantine.
With social media as the main source of information, the platform is also our top stressor these days. So how can you prevent social media-induced anxiety, why staying informed? Here are some tips for you:
Limit Social Media Use
There is an explosion of ideas, information, facts, and speculations on Covid-19 on social media and you can’t get help but get overwhelmed. This triggers stresses and anxiety, but it is crucial to totally ditch social media these days when you need the latest information and community guidelines.
To balance this, you just have to limit your social media use. Follow only reputable and those on authority like your local health department and government. The most vital information you need are those from your government specifically when it comes to guidelines and community rules like curfews.
List down that information that you really need to know. Your supermarket’s social media page is worth checking now to know latest advisories for shoppers (eg “no mask, no entry” rules).
Be kind and be honest to yourself on your threshold when it comes to social media use. The healthiest is to check on coronavirus news not more than twice a day. Check for the latest advisories once a day and log out.
Temporarily Mute Group Chats
With adulthood comes different sets of friends and acquaintances. With messaging apps, it becomes easier to communicate either for personal or work-related communications. By now, you may have at least 3 group chats from your high school class to your child’s parent chat group.
Now with the coronavirus pandemic, many people would be sharing and forwarding information (that may not be true most of the time) that can add to your unnecessary panic. Worse when all you are clear-as-the-sky fake news.
It may rub off if you leave the group- but feel free to do so if you want to – therefore, the best option is to turn it off and mute it. However, putting them on mute, you can still see new messages on the app.
When I have reached the peak of coronavirus information overload, I uninstalled my messaging apps altogether. Felt better when I returned.
Don’t be Afraid to Unfollow
Are your friend’s posts bothering you? Does it seem like we are back to election days of people locking horns online? Just when you thought of weeding out (it’s fine to unfriend people) ultra toxic people online, we are back again to patiently understand someone’s hateful posts online.
Though you have tolerated your friends’ posts before, you may find it suffocating already. Keep your friends while staying sane by temporarily unfollowing them.
Be Part of the Solution
Help create a positive feel on social media – or at least provide a balance as well as a distraction. Your other friends might need such a breather. There are already plenty of Covid-19 information and opinions posted online, why not post the following:
- Positive quotes
- Home quarantine activities like workouts, cooking, home projects, and kids activities
- What you’re watching on Netflix
- What you’re reading
- Funny photos or posts (we badly need to laugh these days)
- Tutorials and hacks
- Throwback photos
On the other hand, engage with your friends with happy and uplifting posts. Create a ripple on your social media circle of friends that is helpful during this crisis.
Think Outside Social Media
The best way to avoid social media-induced anxiety is to temporarily go offline. Spend your time during home quarantine beyond the screen. Read, learn a new recipe, organize your closet, gardening, or have a movie marathon with your family.
Distract yourself from social media and you can escape from all the bickering and fake news that will contribute to unwanted panic.
Stay calm and avoid panic by regulating your social media use. While social media is the most efficient source of information for us while on quarantine, you’ll be stuck to its web of negative effects.
The coronavirus pandemic is serious but we have to refrain from being too anxious. Follow our government’s rules, stay home, and stay safe. Most of all, stay sane by following the tips above on social media use amid the Covid-19 threat.
