Social media is great. You can arrange events with your friends on Facebook. You can share your road trip adventures with friends on Instagram. You can increase your business’ visibility on Twitter. The possibilities go on and on.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to go overboard with social media interactions, especially if you’re a marketer. Too much screen time will lead to burnout. It’s a condition that Psychology Today defines as a state of chronic stress. Burnout sets in gradually, so many people don’t even realize they’re experiencing it.
Wondering if you’re already experiencing burnout? Look for these symptoms:
- Constant urge to check social media
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disinterest in typically enjoyable activities
- Emotional fatigue
- Insomnia
- Mental and physical tension
Learning to identify signs of digital fatigue is a good start, but it’s not enough. Take a step back and use the following strategies for avoiding social media burnout.
Establish Some Ground Rules
Set limits on how often you use social media. These limits can vary from person to person, depending on your needs and personal habits. One hour a day might be a good start for the average person. But a marketer might find that a longer timeframe is more realistic for business purposes.
If it takes a long time to cycle through all of your social media accounts, deactivate a few of the least active. Or, if you’re a marketer who can’t afford to lose any platforms, then find someone to share the workload. For example, you can ask a partner to handle the Twitter and Facebook accounts while you focus on Instagram posts. Coordinate your daily posts to present a cohesive social media presence.
Make Social Media Less Accessible
What happens after you’ve used up your allotted social media time? That’s it. Avoid the apps for the rest of the day. You might want to turn off unnecessary notifications on your phone to help resist any temptations.
If turning off notifications isn’t enough, then you can download apps or browser plugins that block certain sites. You have plenty of options, ranging from Offtime and SelfControl to AppBlock and Cold Turkey. Consider asking friends or business partners for recommendations.
Fill in the Blank Spaces
Now that you’re spending less time on social media, you might notice a void in your schedule. What should you do with all of this extra time? If you don’t fill that void with something productive, then you’ll find yourself drawn back into social media. Consider the following tips, which are particularly helpful for online marketers looking for a break.
Go for a walk outside
This can be especially important for those who spend the majority of the workday in front of a computer. Walking is one way to de-stress your mind and give your body a light workout.
Keep a book nearby
Whether you’re reading fiction or nonfiction, reading is a good way to stimulate your creative juices without staring at a screen.
Get (really) social
Nowadays, it’s easy to forget that social media isn’t the only way to spread the word about your business. Talk to coworkers and potential customers face to face. Get involved with community events. You’ll find plenty of ways to reach an audience without relying on the internet.
Just because your job revolves around social media doesn’t mean burnout is inevitable. Implement these strategies into your daily routine to stay sharp and healthy as you promote your growing business.