Taking Charge of Social Media – 4 Steps for Healthy & Successful Interaction

Taking Charge of Social Media

4 Steps for Healthy & Successful Interaction

Social media is here to stay, whether you love it or not, along with other technological advancements. These advancements have allowed people to be more connected, especially to loved ones who live in other states or countries. They also provide access to incredible knowledge, but at the same time, they can also lead to some very damaging knowledge and consequences.

Overusing social media, mobile devices, and Google search can lead to serious health issues such as agoraphobia, depression, obesity, eyesight problems, difficulty focusing on important areas of life, anxiety, and physical ailments. This overuse can also disconnect you from reality.

In this article, you will learn: 4 Steps for Healthy and Successful interaction with Social Media. The importance of taking charge of your social media time, how to make it a positive part of your life, and its negative and positive effects on your health and wellbeing.

I remember many years ago when I was doing some work with Louis Hay, her view on Technology. “Technology is wonderful, but what is important to prevent negative effects, is to Take Control and Charge of it: Not to allow it to Take Control of you”.

Personal Insight

 I love Social media for both interacting and communicating. Giving me the opportunity to connect with family, friends, providing support and building relationships that you otherwise may not have the opportunity. But it is important to “Take Control” of this marvellous technology and not allow it to take Control of you or replace the physical aspect of communicating and connecting with people. Embrace it, continue learning and understanding that it is a great avenue for connection and communication, only to allow it to take a small percentage of your time.

Changes to my Social Media Time Schedule

As Social Media was taking up too much of my time. I realized that I needed to make some changes.  The decision I made was to only make two check-ins per day, first thing morning and again late in the afternoon. I also schedule a time frame allowing no more than 1 hour, but for the most a half an hour was all that was needed. I also learnt to unplug from social media, starting with evenings and weekends. I also unplug when I am interacting with people and activities during the day.

Moving Away from Negativity

A decision that I implemented was to block or unfollow anything that was negative and not in alignment with making positive changes or outcomes.

Scheduling Posts for my Business

As for my business posting support, I made a decision to use a scheduling tool Buffer, which is great, I can spend a day scheduling posts in advance. This allows me to have breaks, holidays and enjoy social activities. I check in on messages and feedback in the time I allocated to checking in, the morning and afternoon timeslot that I have previously mentioned.

Enjoying a Positive and Successful Interaction & Experience

To have a positive and successful interaction and experience with Social Media and other Technology advancements, it is important to not lose track of face-to-face social interaction, taking time to learn new things away from Google and other search engines, to make time to read books, work through problems and share you experiences in a family or social setting.

4 Tips for Healthy Social Media Interaction

As I have mentioned whether you love social media or not, it is here to stay, having both Negative & Positive aspects as with any other area of life. The key to having healthy and successful social media and technology experiences is to learn as much as what you can about the do’s and the don’ts.

1. Add some kind of Value to the person’s day who is going to read your post. For example: It might be the picture of a beautiful day, nature, something you have enjoyed, sharing special moments.
2. Keep your interaction positive and to think about the person or people who will see your post, and would you like to hear about what you are saying.
3. Never post when you are experiencing Negative thoughts or feelings of anger, jealousy, bitterness. This will have a contradictory effect and distance people from interacting from you. 
4. Block or unfollow posts or advertisements that come up on your page that you find offensive or negative. If they are extremely offensive, then report them. This helps everyone to stay in a better head space.

3 Tips for Posting for Business 

1. It is important to know your purpose and to develop a plan. Social media is a great platform to position yourself, so use it to your benefit. An example: I have a great desire and passion to support people with achieving Optimal health, happiness and vitality. I began writing supportive blogs many years ago now from the experience of treating my clients and what their concerns and challenges were in regard with their health and their lives. Then I commenced posting links to these blogs through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. I schedule these posts in advance, using Buffer, the social media scheduling tool that I mentioned previously.
2. Write your blogs and posts in direct correlation in response to answering people’s concerns and questions this is a great place to start. Ensuring that you link this to your business website with your services, giving people the opportunity to contact you for further questions and advice. 
3. How often should you write a blog – a good rule when getting started is at least once a week, twice, if possible, with your blog being between 800 – 1500 words. Then to get someone to read your blogs you use social media to promote. Using say the first paragraph of your blog, for the social media post then the link back to your blog on your website.

Summarizing Negative &

Positive Aspects of Social Media & Technology

Negative Effects of Overuse of Social Media & Technology

Overuse or dependence of Social Media and Technology can lead to adverse effects with your mental, emotional and physical health. These include:

1. Isolation from face-to-face interaction with people in the real world leading to depression, depletion of social skills, depression, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, anxiety and agoraphobic.
2. Unreal expectations of how life really works, vulnerability to scams and impulsive reactions.
3. Over-exposure to negative news, comments and advertising.
4. Lack of physical activity leading to obesity, serious health conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, and premature death.

Positive Aspects of Social Media and Technology

As we have been discussing both the negative and positive aspects of social media and technology, implementing the strategies discussed in this article will enable you to enjoy the positive aspects

• Enabling communication with family, friends and people worldwide.
• Sharing common interests and learning from a variety of people.
• Enabling sharing of support and kindness to others.
• The ability to voice your opinion, perspective on important matters. This can be a “tricky” one, not to get caught up in negativity or personal opinions.
• Growing your business, establishing your integrity, honesty and genuine intentions.

In Conclusion

Social media and online interactions are here to stay. However, it’s important to use them in moderation and with a sense of control. You can integrate them into your daily life with balance, ensuring that you take control and not allow them to take control of you.

To never be underestimated the importance to maintain personal contact with family, friends, meeting new people, face-to-face socializing and working together. This brings together a wonderful element to life that cannot be replicated online.

3 Steps How to Balance Social Media and Face-to-Face Interactions!

1. Make face-to-face connections a Priority. Any time you choose to spend time talking to a friend or family member, even a stranger face-to-face over scrolling through social media is a step in the right direction.
2. Exercise. Walking, running, swimming, or even stretching are great ways to stay active and spend time away from screens.
3. Develop your Creative side. Explore ways of expressing yourself like journaling, creative writing, painting, singing, and dancing. Once you have a comfortable balance with social media, you can combine your hobbies with your social media use. For example, if you work out with a screen by following workout videos, turn off push notifications.

In my Free Community Membership

A Great Article to help with Social Skills is –

How to Develop Amazing Positive Social Skills & How this will also benefit your Health

Master a Life of Optimal Health: Happiness & Vitality

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