Finding Mental Peace in the Age of Social Media

 

📱 Finding Your Peace Amid an Overstimulated World: Mental Calm When Social Media Reigns Supreme

🕊️ Posted: June 18 2025 •

Why This is Relevant Today

At a time when every buzzing notification, thumbs-up and reel is vying for your attention, the overarching notion of mental peace becomes increasingly attractive but increasingly difficult to obtain. U.S. adults spend two and a half to three hours per day on social media, switching between apps hundreds of times a day. While such behaviors offer convenience and community, they're also overstimulating, creating anxiety and emotional fatigue.

Thus, the ultimate question must be asked: Can we be online and achieve mental calm?




1. Anxiety Induced by Others While Online

Social media is not "a habit." It exists as an emotional feedback loop. The dopamine response associated with likes and hearts, the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the innate desire to compare one's existence with others' highlight reels are emotionally taxing over time.

Generalized symptoms reported by U.S. consumers include:

"Tired but wired" feelings from excessive hours using social scrolls


Difficulty paying attention or falling asleep


Persistent feelings of inadequacy or social anxiety


Emotional lability in response to viral events or major news stories

Per the American Psychological Association, exposure to social media results in higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially for young adults.



2. Peace is Possible—But not Alone

No need to cut your apps or retreat to nature for you to feel better—purposeful engagement can help now.

Consider these four scientifically supported solutions to keep your peace while digitally engaged:

🧘‍♂️ 1. Approach Each App Intentionally

When about to use any social platform, take a silent pause for three seconds. Ask yourself why you're going into that app. If there is no clear intention (connecting with someone, learning something new, resting), reconsider. This technique helps your brain analyze activity instead of going by memory.

🕐 2. Create Usage Restrictions for Empowerment—Not Evasion

Instill screen time limits or app-free windows (no social scrolling before noon) or use the 20/20/20 rule—after 20 minutes, breathe for 20 seconds or observe something alive 20 feet away.

🌿 3. Consider a Digital Sabbath

Set aside one day a week (maybe Sundays) for a low-tech day. Consider simple pleasures in lieu of scrolling (cooking, walking, reading, journaling, listening to music) to reset your overstimulated social mind.

💬 4. Limit What You See Accessing Social Media

Unfollow accounts that bring out your negative side, frustrate you or make you feel bad. Instead, seek out profiles that inspire you, amuse you through light-hearted laughter or gently teach you lessons. What you view impacts how you feel!


3. Peace Exists Outside of Social Media

Mental peace does not occur only when social media use decreases, but when people reconnect to real life—breathing oxygen, enjoying nature, spending time with friends and family, and their minds. Thus, even ten minutes of daily non-screen use can re-ground your emotional state.

Mental health practitioners throughout the United States encourage grounding activities in addition to recommended digital detoxes:

Walk barefoot outside in the grass


Sit still while drinking a warm beverage


Breathe deeply or write in gratitude journals

All have a substantive impact on mood, attention spans and sleep patterns.




Conclusion: Make Your Mind Your Own Again

Social media isn't the enemy—but without measuring use, it can become the creator of lost mental peace. From shifting to active engagement from passive scrolling, you take back your time, focus, and mental calm.

There's no reason to go offline forever; instead, go back online to yourself.




📌 Sources:

-American Psychological Association, Social Media & Mental Health (2024)

-Pew Research Center, U.S. Digital Habits Report (2025)

-Digital Wellness Institute