Social media has changed our culture quickly and drastically. There are many great things about social media. The problems do not generally lie within the sites themselves, but in the ways we choose to use them. Social media is a great thing when used correctly. Unfortunately, it's quite easy to let it become a huge source of negativity.

Social media usage needs to be intentional. We should not mindlessly check our phones in a spare moment. I am as guilty as anyone else of getting to class a couple minutes early and scrolling through my Twitter feed until the professor arrives. I often find myself waiting in line with (what feels like) nothing better to do than check Instagram. Neither you nor I are bad or lesser people for doing these things, but it is important to recognize that we do them, and that they are bad habits.

I try to have a book with me at all times. You never know when you'll find a few minutes to read a few pages. When I am intentional about when I check social media, I finish books at a much faster rate. When I am feeling more social than bookish, I meet new people I otherwise would never have made eye contact with. And then sometimes, it's nice to just have a few moments to rest my mind and do absolutely nothing. Constant stimulation is bad. We need mental breaks throughout the day.

Sometimes the habit of checking social media is so strong, I check it without even realizing it. It can easily become an automatic thing, when I'm not sure where to look or what to do. When I feel myself getting into a place of habit like this, I usually delete the apps off my phone, and decide I will only check social media when I have the time to open up my laptop to do so. Perhaps deleting the apps isn't necessary for you. Either way, be mindful of your habits.

Mental wellness can be greatly associated with social media usage. A few times a year, particularly when I am either overwhelmingly busy or overwhelmingly bored, I take a social media hiatus altogether. I don't set a time limit for how long I want to refrain, but I just choose not to use social media at all until I feel mentally refreshed. We can all benefit from the occasional social media hiatus. Even if it's just for one day, I'd encourage you to try it, if as nothing other than an experiment to see what you may accomplish with your extra time.

If you have an iPhone, you can actually check and see how much time you have spent in the last 24 hours or the last 7 days on each app you have used. Open your Settings, select Battery, look at Battery Usage, and tap the Clock icon. If you are disappointed in the numbers you see, I encourage you to think about how much time you'd like to spend online each day, and what you'd like to accomplish with the extra time. My goal is to spend no more than an hour of my day among all social media platforms, and to use my free time for reading.

It's important to set realistic goals for yourself, and adjust your goals with your needs. If you're feeling overly-stimulated by movement and bright lights, turn your phone off completely. If you find yourself angry over political posts, take a break until the topic blows over. If sad people posting sad statuses are making you sad too, surround yourself with positive, real-life people. Don't be afraid to unfollow someone if their posts are consistently bringing you down. On the other end of meeting your own needs, if you need to just relax by spending an afternoon alone in bed with hot chocolate and Pinterest, by all means, do it.

Above all, your goal should be mental wellness. Use social media in a way that increases positivity without decreasing productivity. Be mindful and intentional in your social media checking. Take a break, read a book, talk to people, break habits. Checking our social media habits is a great way to proactively take care of ourselves.