I’ve been writing blogs every month since the beginning of the new year. A goal of mine was to write one every month this year and so far, it’s been easier than I expected. That’s how I felt until this month.
I’m writing this just as COVID-19 sweeps across the U.S. and everything is getting canceled, from movies, concerts, conventions, parades, schools, offices, businesses, sporting events or entire sports leagues. You name it, it’s likely canceled or going to be.
As a digital marketer, I must be on my computer, but also online, so I typically have no choice but to see the constant stream of news about the virus, what’s getting canceled, commodities running out at grocery stores and genuine concern of the spread.
I am a news geek that likes to stay informed, but you can only handle so much on social media before it becomes detrimental to your mental health. So, if you’re a digital marketer that must use these platforms for their job, what can you do?
I’m not perfect, but if I need a break from digital for a moment or a longer period, here’s what I do to cope with it.
Set Timers on Apps
App timers are one of the best inventions ever created on a smartphone and sadly, it took me until this year to put them on my phone. I set time limits on social media-type apps only such as Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. I took Facebook off my phone entirely last year and I seldom use it anymore. I still have Facebook Messenger on my phone, which you can have without having the Facebook app if you try hard enough. Making these changes alone has done wonders for my mental health and I even found an extension on Chrome so that I could implement this on my computer. It forces you to only do work on these apps and it’s worth it.
Turn Off App Notifications
Other than app timers, turning off notifications for social media apps has done wonders for my mental health. I know not everyone can do this, especially social media managers, but if you can or at least can to some extent, I encourage you to try it. Who doesn’t love fewer excuses to check their phone?
Take Breaks from Digital Devices
If I’m on my computer non-stop working on a big project, my eyes are normally fried by the end of the day. If I’m off the clock or taking a lunch break, I do whatever I can to look at a digital device. I read a print magazine or newspaper, tidy up around the house, do a puzzle or better yet, go outside to sit on the patio or take a walk. There are dozens of studies that show the positive impacts of going outside, including how it can improve creativity. You might come up with a great blog idea, all on a 20-minute walk, and then come back ready to write an outline. If you feel like staring at a screen is getting nowhere, this is worth a shot.
Exercise
Normally when I work on the computer for long periods of time, I tend to get stressed. Early in my career, I thought about how I was never this stressed in high school like I was working full-time. While I am a working adult paying bills, I was working part-time, juggling honors classes, had multiple extracurriculars and maintained good grades in high school. Why was I not stressed then? Exercise.
I played tennis and did marching band throughout the fall. While I didn’t have anything going on in the winter and spring, I was back at it by summertime. But as an adult, I wasn’t doing any form of exercise. That isn’t surprising because 23% of Americans don’t get the exercise they need each week.
Two years ago, I took up strength training, boot camp classes and some running. I now exercise 4 days a week and I look forward to my workout on extra stressful days because it makes me feel that much better. During a workout, I’m focused on doing the exercise correctly, so I don’t get hurt but push myself enough so I’m challenging my body. I’m exhausted yet feel great when I’m done. It’s important to find something you like to keep it up, but even walking is enough to do the trick.
Admittedly, it’s hard to avoid the news right now, but whatever you do, find things to do outside of your digital devices that bring you joy and relieve stress and anxiety. We’re all in this together.
AFJ Digital 