With everything that’s going on, we tend to turn to social media for a break. At some point, social media turns into a constant reminder of the chaos in the world and starts to become overwhelming. It’s important to remember to take a break from the news occasionally and to take the time to practice self-care and process what’s going on in the world right now. Besides taking a social media or news break, here are some other things you can do to help support your mental health.
- Talk it out with people you are close with; this could be your support system or close friends, for me this is my best friend and my sister. Sometimes just talking to someone can help you process what’s going on.
- If you don’t have someone to talk to; this is where SHAW can come in and help. In addition to having counselors here on campus, we have additional resources to support you.
- Filter out what kind of news you are receiving. A lot of news apps let you filter the type of news you want to receive notifications on. Change the filters if you want to focus more on local news or more “good news” stories.
- Take a break from the news, social media, and your phone in general. Social media algorithms tend to follow what we most view. You can change the algorithm preferences in settings, which takes time, or just take a break all together. A break will also reset your algorithms, so when you come back, your feed should look different.
- Find some time during the day to unplug and do some self-care. Finding time to unplug from social media and the news is essential for good mental health. Do a relaxing skin care routine, call a loved one to catch up, or build a Lego set (yes, this counts as a stress reliever!).
- Explore You@UWM for some relatable articles on how to take care of yourself mentally and physically. Here is an article I found helpful. On the portal, you can search for pretty much everything and anything you need help with.
Remember, your feelings during this time are valid. It’s ok to fear the unknown, but you don’t have to face it alone. We are a community here at UWM, and we have many different resources to help you navigate your worries and concerns. You are not alone.
-Mitch (she/they)
Peer Health Educator