How to Handle Negative Social Media Comments in a Healthy Manner
What can you do if you believe that reading negative comments on the internet is harming your mental health?
Here are some steps you can take right now to lessen the impact of reading these types of online comments.
Different types of people are drawn to the comment sections of various social and news platforms.
If you are concerned about reading negative comments on the internet, try to avoid visiting such sites.
Reading negative feedback should be avoided.
Setting a time limit on how long you will allow yourself to read, respond to, or think about online comments may appear oversimplified, but it is one way to ease yourself out of an addiction to reading negative comments.
You might decide, for example, that you will only read comments on social media for five minutes and will avoid comments on news websites entirely.
Possess Positive Values and Attitudes
Having strong attitudes and values, according to research, makes you less likely to be swayed by what you read in the comment section.
This means that, in order for comments to have less of an impact on you, you must first understand what you stand for and have the courage and conviction to stand firm in your principles and values no matter what others say about you.
Self-Education
It has also been shown that a lack of knowledge on a subject can lead you to believe other people’s opinions or/and comments.
Rather than relying on what you read in the comment sections of news sites or social media pages, read reliable sources of information and form your own opinion.
Focus on Positive Reactions
Reading only positive comments is one of the most effective ways to reduce the negative impact of online comments.
Comments from friends who offer social support will lift your spirits and have a positive impact.
These comments have the greatest impact when they come from people you know and trust in real life.
Similarly, shielding yourself from negative comments on your own social media pages can be beneficial.
It is acceptable to unfriend, unfollow, block, and delete if you receive negative comments.
Leave Generous Remarks for Others
Do you want to embark on a journey of positivity for yourself and others?
Instead of clicking “like,” start commenting on other people’s posts.
Positive comments will elicit more positive comments, and the first comment in a thread has a significant influence on how the majority of others respond.
If the first comment is negative, it usually sets the tone for the rest of the comments to be negative as well.
More positive comments will inspire others to do the same.
You will receive more positive feedback if you create them yourself.
Reduce your screen time.
Aside from limiting the amount of time you spend reading comments, you can also reduce the amount of time you spend reading negative things online by limiting your overall screen time.
Excessive screen time causes a variety of problems, including difficulty sleeping after exposure to blue light at night and decreased motivation to perform other tasks.
Make it a habit to turn off your phone at least 45 minutes before bedtime.
Schedule times during the day when you will not be using your devices.
Take a walk in the woods, meditate, write in a journal, or call a friend.