Your brain is an extraordinarily complex organ that works a lot like a muscle. And, just like your other muscles, overuse of the brain can cause fatigue. Mental exhaustion can come from continual sensory overload, intense decision-making, and stress-inducing situations. Social Media Fatigue can lead to a number of symptoms that can impact mental health and well-being.

What is Social Media Fatigue?

Studies report social media can cause anxiety from a fear of missing out (FOMO), as well as disruptive symptoms. Signs of Social Media Fatigue (SMF) include:

• Forgetting tasks or getting sidetracked
• Struggling to make decisions or feel confident
• Difficulty with noisy (or information-heavy) environments
• Lack of patience or increased irritability
• Extensively researching before making a decision
• Experiencing anxiety due to a lack of response on a post
• Increased boredom, apathy, burnout, and indifference

SMF could also make you feel the need to withdraw from social media because of the cognitive overwhelm caused by so many media sources. Experts say this accounts for why so many people decline their social media use over time. Trying to navigate and maintain social media connections can feel exhausting and too consuming for many people.

Tips for Combating Social Media Fatigue and Protecting Your Mental State

Social media has been shown to create harmful levels of stress and anxiety in the mind. Here are some tips for healthy habits regarding social media use.

Consider a Break

It is important to realize you can step away. If you are feeling overwhelmed or distracted by social media, take a break. Put your phone where it is out of sight or delete the social apps that tempt you most. There are plenty of other ways to connect with people outside of social media, like text, email, calls and in-person events.

Reduce Your Channels

You can eliminate some of the overwhelm by pairing down your platform selection and limiting your time each day. Reducing your use means selectively using your time to focus on one or two channels instead of spreading yourself thin.

Reflect on the "Why"

Are you posting multiple times a day to beat the algorithms, or do you really have something to share? If you put pressure on yourself to post frequently, you are putting yourself at risk to hit burnout. Post when you have something important to say or something you want to show people.

Avoid a Fake Persona

Be authentic on social media so you do not feel like you are constantly putting on an act. Your mental health will be in a better place when you are not doing things just for likes or engagement.

Pursue Your Passions

Finally, find things you love and spend time learning about them. Avoid articles about random facts or new stories and save your mental energy for the things that matter to you.

Do not wait until you experience social media fatigue to start better social media habits! With a new outlook, you will be better prepared to help protect your mental health.