🌻 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: What I’ve Learned Over the Years

Health & Wellness with Flava

There was a time in my life when social media was my entire stage.

Back in the day, I was juggling everything —

artists, shows, promotions, my radio show, interviews, posts, gatherings —

my world lived online.

It was exciting at first…

until it wasn’t.

Because with visibility comes noise.

With creativity comes criticism.

And with community comes the risk of opening the door to people who don’t always mean you well.

I dealt with my share of cyberbullying.

I watched people misrepresent themselves to get attention.

I watched people fall apart in real life while pretending to be fine online.

Somewhere along the way, the glow of social media stopped shining for me.

It became too loud.

Too draining.

Too time-consuming.

Too far from what my spirit needed.

These days?

I post my blogs.

I share the beauty of my day.

I contribute something real and meaningful…

but I do NOT wake up wondering what’s happening online.

I wake up wondering about my peace.

And let me tell you —

it’s been a blessing.

🌼 What Social Media Can Do to Your Mental Health

And let’s be honest…

we are living in a world where social media is always in our pocket, always buzzing, always calling for attention.

Social media is linked to:

✦ Anxiety & Depression

The more time people spend scrolling, the more emotionally exhausted they become — especially young people.

Your mind was not built for constant noise or constant comparison.

✦ Comparison Culture

Everybody posts their best moments, then goes home to deal with their real life.

And if you’re not careful, you start comparing your truth to someone else’s highlight reel.

✦ Cyberbullying & Harassment

People feel bold behind a screen.

And the harm they cause is real.

✦ Sleep Disruption

Scrolling before bed keeps the brain wired.

The blue light, the stimulation — it all keeps you from resting the way your body deserves.

✦ FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Seeing everyone else “living their life” can make you feel like you are falling behind…

even when you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

✦ Addiction

Social media is built to keep you hooked.

Dopamine hits, constant notifications, likes…

it keeps you coming back even when you don’t want to.

🌻 Healthy Habits That Protect Your Peace

Here’s what I know for sure:

You don’t have to quit social media.

You just have to use it in a way that doesn’t damage your mental health.

✦ Pay attention to how it makes you feel

If an account drains you, unfollow.

If a page triggers you, step back.

Protect your emotional space.

✦ Limit how much time you spend scrolling

Your spirit needs stillness.

Scrolling won’t give you that.

✦ Make real-world time a priority

Talk to your people.

Sit with them.

Laugh with them.

Build memories offline too.

✦ Silence those notifications

Your phone doesn’t need to interrupt your peace every 10 minutes.

✦ Be critical of what you consume

Not everything online is real.

Not everyone online is honest.

Your wisdom matters.

✦ Choose positive content

Fill your feed with things that uplift you.

Mental health.

Growth.

Beauty.

Humor.

Love.

✨ My truth today

I’m grateful for my little corner of the internet where I share my thoughts, my blogs, my reflections…

but I no longer let social media run my life.

I choose peace over noise.

Presence over popularity.

Realness over performance.

And honestly?

It feels good.