My Information Diet: How Social Media Affects Our Mental Health

Ever have the experience when you go on your phone for a couple minutes and next thing you know its been a couple hours? I definitely have and I’ve begun to realize that it affects my mood, focus and mental health. This opened my eyes and created the idea I have for my podcast about information diets and digital wellness.

In today's day and age, we are always surrounded by information. Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are designed to keep you engaged for as long as possible, and the algorithms behind them control what type of content you see. As time goes by, you can start to feel burnt out, stressed, or even disconnected from reality. In my podcast, I will explain how this happens and the importance of being aware of your digital habits.

 

Listen to My Podcast

What Is an Information Diet?

The idea of an information diet is being mindful about the content you fill your mind with. It is similar to thinking about the type of food you consume, because not all content is actually beneficial for you. Certain types of content can be overwhelming, negative, or a distraction from what is actually meaningful to your life.

In my podcast, you’ll consistently hear how consuming content without thinking can decrease your attention span, increase stress and anxiety, and cause you to feel unmotivated or mentally drained. You’ll also hear about my personal experience as a college student who had to learn the balance between time spent on social media with real life responsibilities. I realized that at times I've done too much scrolling rather than completing schoolwork or being present in my daily life, which made me realize that things needed to change.

Why This Matters for College Students

This topic holds a lot of weight for college students due to us relying heavily on our phones for things like communication, entertainment, and school related tasks. However, it can be easy to lose control of the time spent online and in the wrong way.

A lot of students will have the habit of just scrolling through social media when they are bored, some might compare themselves to others online, and lose sight of the importance of completing school work. The goal of my podcast is to help students become aware of these habits and help them understand how this affects their mental health and productivity.

How to Improve Your Information Diet

As you listen to my podcast, I share some ways that people can work to improve their information diet. The changes needed don’t require deleting social media, rather focusing on choosing knowledgeable content.

One way to improve your information diet is by using time limits for social media apps to lower the amount of time you waste on scrolling. Another tip is to be mindful of what content you choose to follow or watch. You will also find it helpful to take breaks from your phone as your day goes by and replace scrolling with more productive activities such as exercising, getting some fresh out outside, or finishing up schoolwork. Additionally, when you take into consideration how the content makes you feel, it can help you decide whether or not it is worth consuming.

Mental Health Support Matters

The topic I chose is almost directly connected to mental health, which is the main reason I included it as a public service announcement in my podcast for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The organization provides support, education, and resources for those who might be struggling with mental health challenges. The habits formed from digital media can have a high impact on your mental health, and it is very important for people to know that resources are available for those who need the support.

Additional Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/

Learn more about digital wellness: https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet

Final Thoughts

In the creation of this podcast, I have realized the power behind the content we consume and the impact it can have. It may go unnoticed and some might not even realize that the information we consume changes the way we think, feel and act everyday. Putting yourself on an information diet doesn’t mean never going on social media. It truly means to take awareness of the information you consume and the intent behind it. The smallest changes can provide you with more focus, decrease stress, and allow you to be more present in your daily life.

Overall, the biggest lesson I have learned from completing this project is that we need to be more mindful of the content we put in front of ourselves in the digital world. Being more intentional with your time and providing a sense of protection with your mental space can make such a significant difference when it comes to your well-being