Moms, Is Your Scrolling Supporting or Spoiling Your Serenity?
How does social media affect your mood? It can be such a nice brain break to watch a few funny videos, have a laugh, and leave more inspired and motivated by an uplifting meme. However, moms who frequently scroll are 4x more likely to feel worse about themselves especially if they go online in an anxious or depressed state (1)! Time spent on screen can delay the processing of cortisol, a stress hormone. Initially it produces a pleasant spike in dopamine, a feel good hormone, followed by an unpleasant crash after coming offscreen. Too much social comparison can leave moms feeling inadequate in how they care for themselves and their family particularly in the areas of their physique, post baby body, parenting, food preparation, housework, exercise, and sexuality. That comparison can develop into envy and coveting. Bitterness about what is lacking can also lead into taking pleasure in the misfortunes of the people we envy. There can be an increased temptation to overspend on frivolous items during an exhausting late night nursing session. Temptations to linger on sexy photos of handsome men and connect with old romantic partners increases through social media use.
Moms report feeling bad about their parenting about half the time while comparing themselves to momfluencers’ posts, even though they are aware that the posted ideal is not realistic. Children point out that they feel like the phone is more important to their parents than they are, wishing their parents would play with them more.
Social media can also be beneficial, inspiring, and an avenue of light hearted entertainment. Our family has laughed so hard we cried when watching cats’ meows turned into song lyrics. I have tried many new, fun, unique recipes, motivated by others’ posts. Dave Ramsey’s posts regarding financial advice help keep me in check with money management. If we stay alert and we work to curate the content of our feed, our social media use can support our serenity. But it takes work, awareness, and proactivity. Here are some suggestions:
Enjoy the good of social media in moderation while limiting and avoiding negative content.
Consider God’s warnings that apply to our online behavior:
Galatians 6:4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
James 3:16-17 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Engage in ongoing confession with a group of loving, normal, messy women.
Keep loving God and loving others your top priority.
Ask your family and friends for cheerleading about what you are doing well.
Strive to improve but let it be grounded in reality. Ask for the guidance of God and trusted friends: what are the most important areas for improvement?
Model what you hope your children will practice onscreen and offscreen and be open about your imperfections and shortcomings.
Reference:
https://studyfinds.org/moms-on-social-media/
If this has been helpful, please comment below and share with others.
