Are you a content creator struggling to maintain a healthy relationship with social media?
You're not alone - according to a recent report from Later, 43% of respondents have admitted that they suffer from social media burnout at least monthly or quarterly with an additional 29% struggling daily or weekly 💔
I know all too well how challenging it can be to keep up with the fast-paced world of social media while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance: after personally overcoming burnout earlier this year (which inevitably led to me taking a much-needed break from posting on Instagram), I've learned just how important it is to prioritise self-care and set healthy boundaries when it comes to consuming social media and creating it.
What Impacts a Creator's Mental Health?
Within the report, Later identified three main factors that can greatly impact a content creator's mental health (and relationship with social media):
Pressure to grow a following (39%)
Round-the-clock creativity (37%)
Comparing yourself to others (37%)
Have you struggled with any of these? I know I have!🙋♀️
As well as impacting our mental health, these pressures can also take the fun out of content creation, leaving us feeling burned out and uninspired…
So, what can we do about it?
Setting Healthy Boundaries with Social Media
The good news is that are things you can do to create healthy boundaries between yourself and social media so that you can continue to do what you love and spend your time online in a more positive and productive way.
Here are three methods identified by Later that can help you maintain GOOD mental health as a content creator:
1) Make time for yourself
According to respondents of the report, 24% of creators agreed that making time for themselves had a strong positive impact on their mental health.
If you're a fellow workaholic, practising this can prove a challenge! So, it's important to make sure the time you take for yourself is nourishing or enjoyable for you in some way e.g. taking a walk outside and getting some fresh air, going to a yoga class, finally reading that book that's been on your shelf or even switching on a few episodes of Netflix. Just limit your phone/social media use for even an hour a day and see how you get on. Whatever works for you!
2) Connect with your community
The second most popular method (23%) that creators felt was important for setting healthy social media boundaries was connecting with friends, family, and their inner communities on a frequent basis.
Despite its name, social media can cause us to feel isolated and alone when used too often. A study from the National Institute of Health actually discovered that more time spent on social media was associated with higher levels of loneliness!
It's important to remember social media interactions should not substitute our real-life relationships - they deserve to thrive too! Arrange to meet up with family at least once a week or month, reach out to that friend you haven't heard from in a while, and plan something to do in person for a change - no phones required!
3) Physical activity
The final activity in the top 3 strategies that Later's respondents (21%) swore by when it comes to preventing burnout is engaging in physical activity and exercising regularly.
Whether that be swimming, cycling, jogging or simply stretching, studies have shown time and time again that moving our bodies has wonderful benefits on our mood and mental health. With creative jobs like social media and marketing, it's all too easy to spend endless hours on your phone or laptop creating content - which it's why it's so important to take regular breaks and get your blood pumping!
Implementing these strategies can help keep you grounded and positive about being on socials and creating content ✨
I know that’s something that I need more of in my life, so I hope this knowledge helps you too! 🥰
If you'd like to see the full report from Later and discover other strategies that have helped creators maintain a healthy relationship with social media, click here and be sure to check out this article on what social media managers do daily to protect their mental health.
I'd love to hear more about your journey combatting burnout as a content creator, so if you'd like to share, please join the conversation over at @all.things.greennn!
And if you need some help managing your social media channels in general, head over to our Work With Us page for Creators and Influencers to find out how we can help you.
My DMs are also open if you ever need support or advice - we're in this together! 💚
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