5. Be Thoughtful About Social Media
Social media can be a blessing or a curse — it all depends on how you use it. If you find yourself stressed after scrolling through Instagram, comparing yourself to all the other people you see, consider taking a social media “vacation.”
Research suggests that self-esteem and body image are both negatively impacted by social media, in part due to making such comparisons, and that taking a weeklong break leads to better mental health, generally speaking. One small study found that young women who took a seven-day break saw positive effects on both self-esteem and body image.
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If, on the other hand, you use social media to connect with others, you may not want to log out just yet. “Social media, in general, creates more anxiety for some people, but I think it can be a really good tool to connect people who are going through similar issues,” says Odufalu. “And it can connect people to reliable patient resources. So, I don’t think people should shy away from it, unless it’s giving them anxiety.”
Research backs up this idea, too. The authors of one paper noted that social media can provide emotional support, networking opportunities, and information that can encourage empowerment and psychological well-being in people with IBD.
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