Monday, October 17, 2022

Are you doing this one thing so often it’s stealing your peace? Ironically you’re doing it right now - scrolling your phone! The scrolling we’re talking about though is associated with social media use, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down (other than Gen Z, who is the only generation to see recent declines in social media use in the last 5 years according to Pew Research Center).

Whether you’re Gen Z, a Baby Boomer or somewhere in between, your overall habits with social media use can lead to some pretty serious challenges including but not limited to:

• Comparison traps
• Envy
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loneliness

If you are serious about better mental health, social media simply cannot be an area to ignore. Consider:

• Asking God for wisdom and direction in this area. Ask for his guidance in regulating it and reducing your use. There are dozens of practical tips on how to do this, but the simplest is to remove social apps from your phone or pick a time of day that you set the phone down and pick up something you love to do instead.
• The content you’re taking in. Is the content helpful, meaningful and Christ-centered? If the answer is no, then it may not be content that has your best mental health in mind.
• Challenging yourself for 10, 15, 30 days to take full social media breaks. Replace it with time in Scripture, talking to a friend about a passage, taking a walk to experience God in nature, journaling, or praying. What if you see an improvement and that’s all it took?

For Parents: