Social media is everywhere. It’s the first thing many of us check in the morning and the last thing we see before bed. You wake up and check Instagram to see what your friends are up to. Then you move on to TikTok to watch your curated feed of funny and relatable videos, and before you know it, hours have passed. It keeps us connected, entertained, and informed—but at what cost? Maybe you’re like a lot of people who have closed an app only to feel drained, anxious, or frustrated. It’s no secret that social media can have negative effects on our mental health and overall well-being, sometimes even necessitating anxiety treatment. But what if we limit our social media use? What benefits could we experience?
Social media is designed to pull us in, and while it can be a helpful tool, excessive use can take a serious toll on mental health. When you limit the stressful stimuli of social media, you allow your mind to rest and focus on other aspects of your life. This can lead to reduced anxiety and improved mental clarity. So if scrolling leaves you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or caught in a cycle of comparison, it might be time to rethink your relationship with social media. While you don’t have to give it up entirely, setting healthy limits can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being. And if you’re struggling with persistent stress, anxiety treatment in Orange County, CA can help you take back control and develop a healthier balance with social media and daily life.
How Social Media Impacts Mental Health
Everyone knows that too much social media is bad for your mental health. But, are you counting the scrolling that you do at the end of a long day as part of your social media use? If not, you may be underestimating how much time you’re actually spending on social media. This can affect you in ways you don’t always realize. Constant exposure to curated highlights of other people’s lives can trigger feelings of inadequacy. Thus making it easy to compare your behind-the-scenes reality to someone else’s perfectly filtered moments. Seeing influencers on lavish vacations, friends hanging out without you, or endless success stories can make you feel like you’re falling behind. Even when you’re doing just fine!
Beyond comparison, social media can heighten anxiety through information overload. The nonstop stream of news, heated discussions, and overwhelming content can keep your nervous system in a state of high alert. How are you going to relax when you’re constantly bombarded with new information and opinions to process? The answer is, you can’t. Yet you might find yourself doomscrolling and accumulating more stress. This can leave you feeling on edge even when there is nothing immediately wrong. Think about when you constantly read less than pleasant news about the state of the world. It probably doesn’t leave you feeling calm and collected. If social media has started to feel more exhausting than enjoyable, setting boundaries may be one of the best things you can do for your mental health.
The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Cutting Back
Have you ever taken a break from social media and noticed how much calmer you feel? Without the constant influx of updates, notifications, and comparisons, your mind has space to breathe. Reducing screen time helps lower stress levels, giving your nervous system a much-needed reset. Instead of constantly reacting to what’s happening online, you can focus on what’s right in front of you—your own life, relationships, and well-being. When social media is no longer dictating your mood, you might find yourself feeling more grounded and less overwhelmed. If anxiety has been creeping in and making it difficult to disconnect, online therapy in Orange County, CA or anxiety treatment can provide support in creating healthier habits and managing stress more effectively.
Improved Mood and Self-Esteem
Social media loves perfection. Perfect bodies, perfect homes, perfect relationships—it’s all over your feed. But the more you scroll, the easier it is to start comparing yourself to impossible standards. Taking a step back can help you break free from that cycle and reconnect with your real, unfiltered life. Instead of feeling like you need to constantly measure up, you can focus on your own self-worth and cultivate a more positive mindset. Online anxiety treament can also help you work through any underlying issues or insecurities that may be contributing to low self-esteem.
Focusing on what makes you unique and embracing imperfection can lead to a boost in self-confidence. With less time spent comparing yourself to others, you can start appreciating your own strengths and accomplishments. This positive shift in mindset can have ripple effects throughout all areas of your life, from work to relationships. Focus on what truly makes you happy in real life, and you’ll feel less pressure to create a perfect online persona. Let go of tying your self-worth to likes or flawless photos, and make space for genuine self-acceptance.
Better Sleep, More Energy
Is late-night scrolling keeping you up? It might be why you’re waking up tired. The blue light from your screen tells your brain to stay awake, and all that scrolling keeps your mind buzzing when it should be winding down. Instead of relaxing before bed, your brain’s busy processing everything you just saw. The light tricks your brain into thinking it isn’t actually nighttime, making it harder to fall asleep.
To break the habit of endless scrolling before bed, try setting a specific time each night to put away your devices. Set your phone aside an hour before bed to let your mind unwind. You’ll fall asleep easier and wake up feeling more refreshed. However, if stress has you scrolling through social media, anxiety treatment can help you find better ways to relax and build a nighttime routine that works for you.
Stronger Focus and More Meaningful Connections
Social media is designed to make it hard to quit. The more time you’ve spent on it, the harder it is to let go of all those book recommendations, recipes, and cute cat videos. However, the problem isn’t always the content but how much time you spend on it. If you only plan to check your phone but end up losing 30 minutes to an hour of scrolling, it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship with social media.
Finding a balance between online and offline life can bring you more focus and meaningful connections. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through posts, try setting a specific time each day to catch up on social media. Use the rest of your free time to pursue hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, or even just relax without any distractions. Or, limit your social media use to a certain time of the day, allowing yourself to fully disconnect and be present in the moment. No more half-listening at dinner, no more saying “What?” over and over again, and no more missing out on important moments because of your phone.
Taking Breaks for Your Mental Health
Taking a break from social media can do wonders for your mental health. Scrolling through picture-perfect feeds can leave you feeling stuck in the comparison game or dealing with FOMO. But here’s the truth: what you see online is just the highlights, not the whole story. Finding balance, limiting screen time before bed, and unplugging now and then can help you reset and feel more grounded. You can take this time to focus on your own life goals. Maybe you want to learn to cross stitch but never had the time because of social media. Or perhaps you want to go for a walk and enjoy the outdoors without constantly checking your phone. You now have time to do the things that truly bring you joy and fulfillment. And hey, a little sunlight does wonders for you!
Finding a Healthy Balance
Like with all things, there is a possibility of finding a healthy balance. Social media isn’t the inherent evil some can make it out to be. However, it’s not entirely innocent either. It can be a useful tool for connecting with others and staying informed, but it’s essential to find a balance that works for you. The key is setting boundaries and using social media in a positive way. Here are a few tips to help you find a healthy balance:
Set Boundaries
Set specific times to check social media instead of scrolling all day. For example, try limiting it to 15 minutes during lunch or after work. This way, you stay in control and make your scrolling intentional instead of letting it eat up your day. It’s also essential to set boundaries for yourself in terms of what types of content you consume. If certain accounts or topics consistently leave you feeling drained or triggered, it may be best to unfollow or mute them.
Practice Self-Care
Stepping away from social media? Perfect time for some self-care. Dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read, take a walk, or just hang out with your favorite people. Whatever you do, make it about recharging and putting your mental well-being first. This can be especially helpful if you are an introvert who needs to charge their batteries after a day of interacting online.
Turn Off Notifications
Fewer interruptions = less phone-checking. When those constant pings stop pulling you in, it’s easier to stay focused on what really matters. Whether it’s finishing that project, spending time with loved ones, or just enjoying a quiet moment for yourself. Plus, after a while that noise can become overstimulating. You can’t tell me there hasn’t been a time when you didn’t contemplate throwing your phone across the room after getting bombarded with notifications. Trust me, your mental health will thank you.
Unfollow Accounts That Trigger Anxiety
Not every account you follow’s aim will be great for your health. As Jameela Jamil tells her followers, if anyone you follow makes you anxious or makes you feel bad about yourself unfollow them without a second thought. The great thing about social media is that you have the power to curate your feed and create a space that brings you joy and positivity. It’s YOUR feed. Do you want to only see cute cats, book recommendations, and memes? Go for it. Make your feed a reflection of what makes you happy and don’t feel guilty about unfollowing accounts that bring negativity into your life. Anxiety treatment could be the place to navigate who to unfollow and what could make your experience better.
Create Phone-Free Spaces
Find places where you know that a phone isn’t entirely necessary and make that a no-phone zone. At the dinner table, during family game night, or while you’re getting ready for bed. Having phone-free spaces allows for real connection and more importantly, it gives your mind a break from the constant stimulation of technology. Use this time to engage in meaningful conversations, read a book, or just enjoy the silence. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t use your phone to listen to mindfulness apps or play calming music, but it’s important to set boundaries and have designated times when you disconnect from technology
Struggling to unplug from social media or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and stress? Therapy can help. Anxiety treatment in Orange County, CA offers personalized support to manage digital overwhelm and create a more balanced, intentional life. Social media doesn’t have to control you. It can be a tool for connection when used in a healthy way. It’s okay to take breaks. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. What matters is giving yourself permission to step back, recharge, and focus on your mental health. You’ve got this!
Work On A Digital Detox in Anxiety Treatment in Orange County, CA
If you feel like your phone and social media use is causing excessive stress or anxiety, it might be time for a digital detox. This means taking a break from all technology, including social media, emails, and notifications. A digital detox allows you to reset your mind and focus on being present in the moment. It can also help reduce feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out) and comparison that often come with constant scrolling through social media. In anxiety treatment in Orange County, CA, you can work with a therapist to create a personalized plan for your digital detox and develop healthier habits around technology usage. At Moxie Family Therapy, we understand the struggles of balancing technology in our daily lives and can provide support and guidance to help you find a healthier balance. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or online therapy, we are here to help you navigate the overwhelming digital world. Ready to take the first step toward relief? Here’s how you can get started:
- Contact Moxie Family Therapy to schedule a consultation.
- Meet with a caring therapist to create a personalized treatment plan.
- Begin your digital detox journey and start prioritizing your mental health.
Other Therapy Services Offered at Moxie Family Therapy
At Moxie Family Therapy, we understand that anxiety treatment in Orange County, CA might not be the only type of therapy you need. That’s why we offer a variety of services to support your mental health journey. Our team specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management, ensuring that you receive care tailored to your unique needs. We provide therapy for individuals, couples, and families, both in-person and through online therapy in Orange County, CA.
Whether you’re looking for support for young adults, children, women, teens, or couples, our compassionate therapists are here to help. Additionally, we offer specialized services such as therapy for therapists, clinical supervision, adoption therapy, LGBTQ therapy, art therapy, and play therapy. If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, contact us today to learn more about how we can support your mental health and overall well-being.
About the Author
Melissa Mellon, LMFT, is a therapist and anxiety specialist in Orange County, CA, dedicated to helping individuals overcome the stress and self-doubt often triggered by social media. With over 17 years of experience, she uses evidence-based approaches to help clients reduce anxiety, break free from comparison traps, and build healthier habits around how they engage online. Melissa understands how overwhelming it can feel to scroll through endless posts and feel pressured to keep up, and she believes in a holistic approach to mental health.
By combining anxiety treatment with practical tools, she helps clients regain balance, set boundaries with social media, and develop confidence in their own lives—not the filtered versions they see on their screens. Through her work at Moxie Family Therapy, Melissa offers personalized support, including online therapy for flexibility and convenience. If social media is leaving you anxious, fatigued, or self-conscious, you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and start taking control of your well-being.