4 Mindful Shifts I Made to Improve My Mental Health as a Social Media Manager
Being a social media manager is no easy feat. When I first stepped into my role two years ago, no one warned me it already had a bad reputation because, and I quote, “You literally get paid to play on Instagram all day.” Granted, the people that think that aren’t wrong. Just like any other job, being a social media manager is taxing on your mental health, especially in this digital age and global pandemic.
Hearing that people thought negatively about my job made me place unnecessary pressure on myself to be successful. That pressure coupled with my need to be perfect, keep up with day-to-day work and being online all day was mentally and physically draining.
Within the first three months of my new job as a social media manager, I became mentally and physically ill from the stress of my unhealthy relationship with my phone and social media. Over the last two years, I’ve worked hard to set healthy boundaries around my work and phone. While every day is different, I try my best to practice these boundaries for a more healthy work-life balance.
If you feel like you’re drowning as a social media manager, here are 4 mindful shifts you can make to improve your mental health.
1. Limit Screen Time After Work
When I first realized I was developing an unhealthy relationship with my phone, I would hide my phone in my purse to keep myself from mindlessly scrolling after work. I also set my Do Not Disturb to automatically turn on at 6 pm and turn off at 7 the next morning. This small mindful shift has given me more time to take care of myself and spend quality time with Angel after work.
2. Wake up Sans Phone
Mornings are sacred to me and I enjoy waking up early to do things that make me feel good like, my skincare routine, writing in my gratitude journal, drinking coffee (or matcha or golden milk).
Not checking my phone first thing in the morning has made me less anxious about work and more productive throughout the day because I was able to practice self-care first thing in the morning.
3. Take a Lunch Break
When I first started as a social media manager, I would work during my lunch because that’s what everyone else in my department did.
When I started seeing a therapist about my work stress, the first thing she wanted me to do was to take an actual lunch break away from my desk or take a walk to get some fresh air. It was one of the best things I did for myself during those early months in my new job.
Now that I work from home, taking a lunch break is even more important to me. I eat my lunch away from my desk and (most times) without my phone. Doing this forces me to focus on and enjoy my food.
Tip: Block time for lunch on your calendar and show yourself as ‘Busy’.
4. Sign Out of Work Social Media Accounts After Work
This mindful shift is for the social media managers that use their personal phones / laptops for work. It is difficult to disconnect from work when work is on your personal belongings. I found that signing off from work accounts after work sent a signal to my brain to stop working.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from living in this digital age, it’s that the internet keeps our mind running and if we want to achieve balance, we need to actively do all we can to slow down.
What mindful shifts have you made to improve your mental health at work?
