Isolation is well, isolating and many of us are turning to technology and social media to combat loneliness during this time of quarantine.

While I’m so thankful we have these options, I can’t help but notice that social media can be a grouchy place sometimes these days.

If you’re noticing that too, it’s tough to remain positive while reading depressing news, combative arguments, and general complaints over and over again in your newsfeeds.

To protect your mental health it is imperative you unfollow accounts that are upsetting you or making you feel sad. Even if those accounts belong to your friends and family.

Social media is a great tool, but it’s not real life and if seeing someone’s posts continually upset you, rather than let it bother you, take it out of your newsfeed.

Likely, this will improve your relationship with that person as well.

Facebook has a feature called lists, where you can put certain friends on a list and choose which list to view when you look at your newsfeed.

Don’t be afraid to use that feature, it’s there for a reason.

Learn more about Facebook lists here: https://www.facebook.com/help/204604196335128

News accounts are also a likely source that can cause more mental stress than it’s worth. Pick one news source you trust to follow and stop following the rest and if you can, don’t read the comments.

Social media can have a significant impact on your mental health, and like any tool, it can help or it can hurt, be sure to manage it wisely.