4 Ways to Avoid Social Media Depression During the Holidays

By Guest Contributor , published Nov 9, 2018

Have you ever thought about how social media can affect your mental health during the holiday season? In fact, if you're not conscious, social media will have you downright depressed.

SeabuckWonders will be doing a three-part series this holiday season offering overall health and wellness tips. This week's post is from our guest blogger and psychology teacher, Harry Packer. She is offering insight on how social media can influence our lives during the holidays and what you can do to stop it.

"Do it for the Gram"

The holiday season is fast approaching, a time for rest and spending time with loved ones and, perhaps, comparing how everyone else is having a better time than you?!

You’re not alone. Millions of people are on a social media platform. So that means that we all know about the morning, afternoon and evening Instagram scroll and comparison. I wonder how many hours have been spent mindlessly scrolling and liking and or judging a picture? Erm, a lot!

Tips that Will Keep you at your Best

Anyway, I’m on Instagram so you’re receiving no lecture from me about deleting social media. But, here are my top tips on how to navigate it with your best interests at heart.

“Comparison is the thief of all joy.” Delete any social media account that doesn’t bring you joy. If it inspires and makes you feel good then keep, if not, then delete.
Your time is precious. Choose the time you spend on social media wisely. When you first wake up in the morning, try not to bombard your mind with information and images. Social media can remind us of what is missing in our lives, BUT what about all the wonderful things that we do have? Enjoy spending time with others, helping others and doing things that make you feel good. Cook, go for a walk, watch a film, volunteer at a local charity...the list is endless!

3. Is it worth it? The 20 minutes of getting the right image of the presents under the Christmas tree (or equivalent!) means less time enjoying things that matter. What would your 80-year-old self say? You’re not going to look back and wish you’d used a different filter. But, you might remember the time you spent baking mince pies or the time you got caught in the rain on a family walk. These are the special memories that you are making!

4. You’re enough. Just in case you needed the reminder, you are a wonderful person and your worth isn’t measured by the number of likes or comments you get. You have so much to offer the world.

Holiday Wellness Formula

Joy this holiday season = Spending time with loved ones + Helping others + Doing things that make you feel good -Time spent on social media.

Do it for the gram? No, do it for the joy and the memories!

Harry Packer is a Psychology teacher with over a decade worth of experience in understanding mental health and improving well-being. She is passionate about empowering people to learn more about their remarkable bodies and minds and using this knowledge to help heal themselves and experience more joy. In her own words "I am now certain that there is no magic wand, no one treatment or ritual that will lead to inner peace; it stems from a culmination of techniques and everyday choices."

Written by Guest Contributor

See all guest contributors to our health & beauty blog Wonders of Sea Buckthorn – including nutrition experts, health bloggers and more. Seabuck Wonders is the Original Sea Buckthorn Company!

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