MAINTAIN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

1. Remind yourselves that these are platforms for sharing your views and finding a community of supportive and like-minded peers, connecting with old friends and relatives, celebrating milestones, and on professional platforms like LinkedIn, accurately presenting your best professional self.

2. Remember that social networks are not for showing off, scoring cheap points, or measuring your personal worth and success in likes and followers.

3. Review the friends, influencers, organisations and feeds you follow, and block or delete those that leave you feeling isolated, depressed or upset.

4. Keep in mind that the images and posts you see online are not reflective of real life, but are carefully selected and crafted from the best moments in people’s lives, and are often staged – as are yours.

5. Aim to be authentic. Post comments and images that genuinely reflect who you are, what you value and appreciate, not what you think will attract attention.

6. Monitor your social media use. According to research by GlobalWebIndex, the average internet user is now on social media and messaging services for two to three hours a day, and this increases every year. 7. Take a periodic break for a day, or even a week. Invest in real life engagements, an old hobby or sport. Or, just be with yourself, reading, or listening to music.

8. When with other people, truly be with them. Keep your phone in your bag, or suggest you all put them in the centre of the table so you can be in the moment.

9. Think about the content you share online before you post it. Is it helpful or harmful? Don’t post anything you wouldn’t put on a billboard.

10. Get professional help if social media use is negatively influencing daily your life. GET HELP Twin Rivers Rehab Addiction Disorders Centre – 082 863 3159 We Do Recover – 081 444 7000