Can we all agree that social media is the worst, but also somehow the best? It's a love-hate relationship for me personally, as I'm someone who moved from the small state of Vermont to attend college in the big ol' state of California. All that to say: There are people in different parts of the country that I'd have no way of keeping up with if it weren't for social media. At the same time, do I really need to see an update each time they go to a brewery and post a "cute" beer glass pic?

The answer is an unequivocal no. Yet here I am again, scrolling through the feed.

Social media is the junk food of activities. It's quick, cheap, and easy, and ultimately leaves you feeling unsatisfied and, potentially, a little sick to your stomach (at least that's the case for me after seeing a few too many pimple popper videos in a row). But beyond that, it's actually pretty bad for your health. It's been linked to an increase in depression in young people, which is not only, well, depressing but it can also be dangerous. Depression can put individuals at higher risk of developing a substance use disorder, which is incredible life threatening (it takes thousands of lives in California each year).

To avoid some of these outcomes, what you can do is make a choice to spend your time differently. Just because "everyone's on social media" doesn't mean everyone is literally on social media. Don't use that as justification to keep scrolling night after night. Instead, try spending 5 minutes on one of these other 5 activities instead, and figure out activities that actually add value to your life rather than bringing you down.