5 Ways to Cope with Mental Stress Caused by Social Media Spread of Videos of Brutality
On the 25th of May 2020, George Floyd, an African American man was killed by officers of the Minneapolis Police Department just outside the Cups Food shop. Images and videos of the incident went viral and in no time, protesters organized events on a global scale to shed light on the systematic racism that has existed in the United States for decades. As these protests took place across the country they were being streamed and shared across every social media platform, primarily Twitter and Instagram.
Some videos and images showed police shooting rubber bullets at protesters, throwing tear gas, and tackling protesters to the ground. Others revealed excerpts of the moment when Floyd was killed and historic videos of Black activists who spoke out against police brutality and their maltreatment of the Black community in the United States.
Even though the videos and images were meant to expose the rot in the judicial system and bolster efforts in fighting it, the graphic content triggered mental distress for many. Experts say that the constant inflow of such content can cause or reignite trauma, especially for Black people. Repeating the experience of racism, discrimination, and brutality—even through a two-dimensional image—can lead to traumatization.
Here are 5 ways to cope with mental stress caused by viral videos of brutality on social media:
Limit your time online
A recent study found that reducing social media to just 30 minutes a day would drastically reduce loneliness, anxiety, and depression levels. Without a doubt, this goal might seem unrealistic, with the exception of those among us with strict self-discipline. However, these findings also noted that being more mindful of your time on social media would have a positive impact on your mental health. If you find that limiting yourself to 30 minutes a day is too challenging, try the following tips:
- Track the amount of time spent on social media and set daily goals to achieve a daily limit. These apps can be useful– Social Fever, Moment, StayFree, Stay Focused, among others.
- Normalize switching off your phone during the day. Ideal times to do this is when you’re having a meal or in the toilet…
- Put your devices to sleep before you sleep at night. Plug it in the living room or another room. Just make sure your device is not with you when it’s time to sleep.
- Turn off your notifications. With fewer buzzes, the more time you can stay off social media.
Spend more time with your friends offline
This suggestion might seem impossible to achieve, but it’s of paramount importance to your mental health that there are people you can rely on offline. Socializing might be difficult for those who struggle with social anxiety, but understand that you can start by allowing one person into your close circle. It might be hard but you can do it. If you find it difficult to make friends, consider some of these points–
- Be part of a group. There’s usually something we have or love in common with other people. It might be your taste in music, a hobby, book genre, religion, or ideology. Leverage that interest to make friends and it won’t feel awkward because there will be something to chat about.
- Visit public spaces more often. You don’t have to do this every day. Go to the coffee shop, park, movies, stadiums, or grocery store. They’re fun places to make new friends.
Refocus your attention
Most people use social media as a tool to mindlessly kill boredom. Keeping this in mind, creating a specific reason to log on to social media will reduce the amount of time spent on it and will help avoid exposure to potential stressors to your mental health that appears on the timeline.
Before signing in, determine your intentions. It might be as simple as checking on a friend or family member who is ill, updating your bio/status, or uploading your poem. Clarify your intentions before logging in to social media because there will always be something you want to quickly view that might be detrimental to your mental health.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to ease anxiety and stress. It improves people’s mood, self-esteem, and confidence. Exercise can also provide a brief mental escape. It’s best to not be connected online because when you exercise you realize you can be in control of your life despite what’s going on in society.
Volunteer
When everything seems to be in disarray, it is common to feel powerless. You might become overcome with the feeling of wishing you had superpowers to change all that’s wrong in your community and the world. But you do have a superpower – you’re concerned about the well-being of others and that’s commendable. Volunteering brings out the superhero in you and helps stop the powerless feeling. Helping others makes you feel in control and happier.
Find a cause you’re passionate about and volunteer in an organization that supports it. This would go a long way in helping you manage your mental health.
Conclusion
These disturbing videos are still being circulated on social media and with them, comes mental stress. The anger and frustration you feel aren’t abnormal. While you may feel powerless for not being able to create the change you want to see, you can start with the little things you can control such as managing your mental health.
written by Praise Olarinde
Praise Olarinde is a content writer, a mental health advocate, and the author of Alone and Weird: Why Am I So Different? He spends much of his time writing and volunteering. He is a volunteer for Black Phoenix Ink because he believes in their mission to bring positivity to children in black communities
