In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Chispa has teamed up with Gabriela Reyes, LMFT to share some small ways in which you can make big changes to your overall mental health.
Does it ever seem like you or your friends are always online? The term 'chronically online' refers to those who spend significant time on the internet, often to the point where their life revolves around internet memes, culture and slang.
As users, we are constantly bombarded by information we don’t actively choose to see. That’s how social media works. We’re presented with ads, friends’ opinions, stranger’s opinions, information (some true some not,) etc.
Our inability to choose what we see and don’t see due to the nature of social media makes us unable to be as purposeful about what we let into our bodies through our eyes and ears. Here are some tips from Gabi that will help you on your journey to find balance.
Dating Apps
Dating apps are a great way to connect with others on a deeper level and now a days, there are so many options out there! If we’re not careful to set boundaries, we can feel burnt out, which goes agains the goal of making meaningful connections.
Think of your profile as your wardrobe. Make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re putting out there and that it’s authentically you.
Have fun with it! Spruce up your profile every few months so it feels like you’re starting fresh. Like changing your wardrobe from Summer to Fall. Switch up the photos and the prompts or questions.
Use one dating app at a time. If you’re on Chispa, delete all other apps and focus on this one. This can help avoid burnout.
While on the dating app, keep active conversation with only three people at a time. It can be overwhelming speaking to too many people at once and the details may get mixed up if you can’t remember which of your 10 matches said they were a nurse.
Set time aside to do the “swiping.” Once you’re connected and talking to someone new, talk to them whenever you’re able to. That’s the exciting part! The swiping, however, can be overwhelming if you’re doing it mindlessly constantly. It’s helpful to decide that you’ll dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to swiping during your lunch break or after dinner while you enjoy dessert.
Social Media Platforms
While being social and meeting people is good for us, we have to be cautious of how we engage. No matter who you are, a loner or social butterfly, we all crave human connection but we should be mindful of our digital habits.
Mute or Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself or bring up any negative emotions. There is no reason to continue allowing these things to bring you even a split second of discomfort.
Be proactive about following positive accounts such as good news accounts, affirmation accounts or mental health accounts that promote healing.
Trick the algorithm! Use it to your advantage. Look up more of what you want to be seeing and more will come up.
Seek out influencers that discuss body positivity, mental health and kindness. Reminders to be gentle with yourself are always welcomed.
Put realistic time limits on your social media apps and actually stick to them. I know it’s easy to keep clicking “ignore for 15 minutes” but this defeats the purpose.
Take social media breaks where you delete all of your apps for anywhere from a week to a month. This can really help you if you feel you’re “addicted” to social media.
And lastly, but certainly not least, always remember to prioritize your well-being and support those around you. Whether you're taking a moment to recharge or lending a listening ear to a friend, nurturing connections and self-care go hand in hand.
Whenever you're ready to dive back into the world of meaningful connections, Chispa will be here with open arms. Until then, take all the time you need to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. You've got this!
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