Looking After Your Mental Health Online
The internet can contribute to mental health problems. However, it can also help people to overcome mental illness. It’s important that you use the internet in a way that is positive and not self-destructive. Below are just a few tips for looking after your mental health online.
Follow the right content on social media
Social media has been known to contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and much more. This is often the result of engaging with the wrong type of content.
Think carefully about who you follow on social media and which groups you join. Next time you’re scrolling through social media, take note of every post that makes you feel angry or sad. If they’re making you feel worse about yourself, consider whether it’s really worth following these accounts or being a member of these groups.
At the same time, it’s important to not get hooked on false information or content that is enabling negative behaviour. The information you want to hear may not always be the best information for you in the long run - try to take a step back and consider content is truly ‘healthy’.
If you’re struggling with mental illness, it could be worth looking for mental health advocates such as Mike Smeth to follow. This will help to encourage positive content on your social media feed.
Connect with the people who matter
Some of us spend more time talking to strangers online than people we actually know. Make sure that you’re connecting with the people that matter.
Not all of your ‘friends’ and relatives are worth keeping in regular contact with. However, you should try to connect with those friends and relatives of whom you care about and who have always been there to support you.
There may be people who you’ve drifted apart from who you used to enjoy spending time with. Consider reaching out to these people and reconnecting. Where possible, try to arrange to meet up in person.
Know where to seek out online support
There are so many great sources of online mental health support out there. If you’re really struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to these support networks. Many people find it easier to use these resources than seeking support in-person.
A few great examples of online support include:
One-on-one webchats: These can work a bit like hotlines, but instead of having to call someone on the phone, you can talk to someone via instant message. A popular example is My Black Dog - a mental health web chat service run by volunteers.
Online therapy sessions: Been thinking of trying a therapy session, but not sure that an in-person appointment is right for you? There are therapists that can conduct online sessions - these could be via video call, voice call or web chat. It’s a great way to seek out regular counselling flexibly from any location.
Support group forums: There are online forums out there dedicated to individual mental health problems ranging from eating disorders to addiction. These can be worth joining - by sharing your experiences with other people suffering the same problems, you may feel less alone and more inspired to recover. Try to stick to trusted forums moderated by mental health professionals. This will ensure that you’re getting the right support.
Mental health apps: There are several free apps that can help when battling mental illness. These include Mindshift, Intellicare and Breathe2Relax. These could be worth downloading.
You can find a comprehensive guide to seeking out mental health support online here at Healthline. Try out different types of mental health support to see which one works for you.
Know when to take a break
Sometimes the internet isn’t the solution at all. Sometimes it’s better to log off completely for a while.
If you’re spending every waking moment online, it could be time to take a break. Try to arrange get-togethers with friends, schedule time for offline hobbies or simply take a walk outside. You could even try challenging yourself to not use your phone for a day or to not use social media for a month. This could encourage you to try other activities that may be better for your mental health. .
You should be particularly careful of using digital devices late at night. Bright screens can disrupt our ability to get to sleep - if you struggle with insomnia, consider turning off your devices an hour before you plan to go to bed. Instead, consider activities such as reading, listening to music or taking a hot bath.
