Studies show that social media usage can have a direct impact on your mental health. It can increase anxiety, depression, and even affect your quality of sleep. Pair all of this with your postpartum hormones, and social media can have a significant effect on how you feel about yourself, your baby, and navigating your life with a newborn.
We know there are positives to social media. It can be an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family, and send funny parenting memes to your fellow mom friends. But it’s important to set boundaries that protect your mental health. Here are a few of our best dos and don’ts for social media.
Don’t:
- Play the comparison game: Remember that the majority of people only post the positive things in their lives to their social media pages. The images are often carefully posed, selected, and even filtered. If you see a photo of a perfectly put together family while you’re on day two of the same outfit (and possibly covered in spit-up), remember every other mom has been there too. They simply don’t take time to share the real, gritty moments of motherhood on their social pages.
- Set unrealistic expectations: If a “momfluencer” is bragging about her baby walking early, has a sophisticated palate, or all the creative ways she is promoting her baby’s development…take a breath and put the phone down. Milestones and mom wins are not the same for every parent and child. Don’t place unrealistic expectations on yourself for how your life truly works. It’s especially important to avoid putting unrealistic expectations on your little one. They’re learning and developing on their own timeline, in their own awesome way. Your baby doesn’t need your home to be impeccably decorated with a perfectly curated set of toys. They will thrive with your love and attention.
- Doomscroll: Doomscrolling is the act of spending an excessive amount of time reading or seeing negative things in the news or on social media. Studies link this to declines in mental and physical health. Pay attention to how you feel while you spend time on social media apps. Are you feeling frustrated, depressed, jealous, or bored? If you are experiencing any negative emotions, protect yourself by putting your phone down and doing something else that brings you joy and positive emotions.
Do:
- Reduce your screen time: Not only is too much social media use linked to poor mental health, you also have a little one who needs their mom’s attention. Save your screen time for moments when your baby is asleep or with another caregiver. Even then, don’t overdo it. Use an app timer if need to help yourself break any bad phone habits. We know it can be hard, but if it helps you feel like a better, happier version of yourself, it’s worth it.
- Be selective about who you follow: Are you following people who you can relate to, identify with, and have a laugh with? Or is your feed full of people who add to the (already) unrealistic expectations about parenting? Do yourself a favor and edit the accounts you follow to only include those who bring a realistic, positive viewpoint of mothering and life—not an unrealistic ideal to aim for.
- Connect with other like-minded moms: Social media and mom groups online can be an awesome way to crowdsource parenting tips, feel a sense of camaraderie, and get other helpful information to help you be the best parent you can be. If you talk to a group of mom friends about navigating your little one’s sleep schedule, diaper rash, or attending a local play group— you name it — you’re sure to be met with wonderful and well-meaning advice and understanding.
- Be your best, most authentic self: when you do post on your own social media pages. Do your best to share things that are true to your life, not just the highlight reel of parenting. This can help you to feel validated about who you are as a person and a mother. It also helps you build a community of followers where you feel supported in your struggles and celebrations.
Bottom line? When it comes to social media, be sure to take care of yourself. Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. But like anything else in your life, recognize if something isn’t working for you and take a step away for a while.