How to use social media as a relaxation tool
There is a considerable amount of anti-social media press to be found – ironically most often it is seen sliding across social media newsfeeds, nonetheless most of the information is true. It is ruining relationships and causing us to covet the life portrayed by our friends through their gym attendance statuses and filtered pictures of their clean, smiling children (not fighting), or latest adventures and bucket list achievements.
Contrary though to all the negative connotations associated with it, social media really does have some health benefits too. This is according to the findings of a study done by Pew Research Center in 2015. The study suggests that women who use social media actually report less stress than those who avoid it. Only a small group of women were studied, so the results are certainly not conclusive. However, there are ways that people can turn social media into a positive method of relaxation.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true
Did you laugh at the cute cat video that went viral, or the trampoline exploits of a colleague that all your friends shared on Facebook? Did your friends post photos of themselves (and you) doing something crazy over the weekend? Laughing is known to decrease stress levels, boost endorphins and generally increase overall health.
Did reading the comments from that Humans of New York page make you feel good about humanity and cheerful about your own life? Feeling positive can boost your energy levels and diminishes pain. It’s also a great resource for new and relevant knowledge.
In amongst the vacuous celebrity gossip posts are people and companies having genuinely interesting and constructive discussions. Just in using Facebook and Pinterest alone a woman (and the men of course) can find almost anything she could possibly want to know, from world events to research findings, quick fix meals and nutritious lunchbox ideas. It’s a mine of very useful information if you just know how and where to look.
It can be an excellent motivator too. Sites like The Daily Muse’s Facebook page have links to brilliant advice on applying for jobs and rocking that interview, which can make you feel confident about stepping out of a rut and making positive new life changes.
From the office to Mars
Spending your lunch hour scrolling through Instagram photos of exotic travel locations can be a form of meditation. Switch off from the office and mentally transport yourself to another place through the eyes of millions of people around the world.
Social media doesn’t have to be an information overload that buries you under a pile of posts that make you feel like you are not succeeding at life. It is also a source of positive business and personal interactions and knowledge. All you have to do is remember that you are always in control of what you see and what you respond to. Taking back that control is when you’ll start to relax and enjoy what it has to offer you, personally.
