8 Ways to Avoid Falling Down the Social Media Rabbit Hole

Are you a social media manager or the official content maker for a business or organization?

Whether you’re creating content, managing multiple profiles or engaging with your audience, it’s hard not to fall down the social media rabbit hole. For me, the rabbit hole is too much time spent on social media resulting in eye strain, a stiff neck and lower back, FOMO and the feeling that I wasted time. Ugh.

Here are some ways to keep you from falling…

1. Use the 20-20-20 rule!

Every 20 minutes, take a break for at least 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away. This will help with eye strain. Also, blink often!

2. Create before you consume emails and social feeds.

Deep dive into your own ideas before looking at everyone else’s content.

3. Use an app like Pocket to save articles or web pages that you think are cool so you can read or view them later.

I keep my reading time and content making time separate.

4. Set up a system to measure your goals – both quantifiable and qualifiable.

What does success look like to you and your company? Have this conversation with your team and develop reporting that’s helpful for what you really need to know. What’s working or not working? Are you spending too much time on social media? Too little? What content has been engaging? Is there something new you need or would like to try? Schedule a time to discuss the results and make adjustments accordingly.

5. Take regular and scheduled social media breaks.

Curbing your addiction to not only your phone but distraction itself is paramount if you’re feeling out of whack or out of balance. At Social Media Week 2016 in NYC, Michelle Klein (Facebook) reported the average adult checks their phone 30 times a day, and the average millennial checks their phone more than 150 times a day. Where do you fall on that spectrum? Be brave enough to be bored. It will make your brain happy and most likely spark some ideas as well.

6. Take a mid-day dance break or do some squats.

After sitting/standing at my desk for a few hours I turn up some music and move my body – jump, shake, dance – it helps to re-energize me for the rest of the day and gets the blood pumping to avoid stiffness in the muscles. So good! If you work with other folks, take turns with who plays DJ.

7. Take time to breathe.

A recent New York Times post by Lesley Alderman described and illustrated a super simple breathing technique to de-stress:

“Take a deep breath, expanding your belly. Pause. Exhale slowly to the count of five. Repeat four times.”

A great exercise to calm your nervous system, this exercise has “been shown to reduce stress, increase alertness and boost your immune system.”

8. Share gratitude.

Take a 5 minute break to text, call, email, or see a family member, friend, or colleague in person and thank them on a daily basis. Connecting with others can make you more relaxed and it just feels good.

These are a just a few ways to experiment with. Try a few and tell me what you think! How do you avoid the rabbit hole?