Threads How-to Guide: Practice Social Media Feed Hygiene and Maintain Your Mental Well-being

The recent release of Threads has caused me to rethink how I want to interact with social media. Online communication has become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to connect with others, stay informed, and share our thoughts and ideas. But, it's no secret that social media is a breeding ground for unproductive arguments and phycological clutter, leading to mental exhaustion and negativity. So to maintain a positive and enjoyable experience on my feed, I’ve found it’s essential to practice social media feed hygiene. Here is what I’ve been doing that has personally helped me to better curate a fun and fresh feed while preserving my mental well-being.

Follow a Diverse Mix of Small Accounts. Drowning in a sea of viral posts and retweets from influential accounts can be overwhelming. To create a constant buzz of small, casual conversations on your feed, consider following a wide range of small accounts. Aim for at least 100 small accounts to start following (getting up to 500 really helps if you can), and make sure to diversify the content by following different commenters or posters that you come across in your feed and genuinely enjoy engaging with.

Embrace Palate Cleanser Accounts. Inject some positivity and joy into your feed by following palate cleanser accounts. These accounts may feature captivating photography, heartwarming animal videos, or even quirky legacy brands run by Gen Z social media managers. They serve as a fun break from the more serious subjects content that can often dominate social media.

Hide Posts You Don't Like. If you come across posts that quickly irritate or enrage you, don't hesitate to hide them immediately. This action isn't about avoiding differing opinions but rather about prioritizing your mental well-being. Many of these accounts are engagement farming by taking advantage of the immediate negative reactions they are attempting to stir up. Muting these accounts can reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety caused by consistently encountering content that upsets you.

Mute or Block Accounts that Incite Arguments. In the quest for civil and respectful discussions, it's essential to mute accounts that exist solely to incite arguments or spread negativity. Engaging with bad faith actors rarely leads to productive conversations and can be detrimental to your emotional state. Focus on connecting with people who foster positive engagement and constructive dialogue even if you don’t agree on everything.

Follow Civil Accounts With Different Views (If Possible). While it's tempting to surround yourself with like-minded individuals, it's equally important to expose yourself to diverse viewpoints. Seek out accounts that express differing opinions but do so in a civil and respectful manner. Engaging with respectful disagreement can expand your horizons and foster empathy and understanding. It also helps in reducing any knee-jerk reaction to unfamiliar viewpoints you may have developed over the last few decades due to toxic social media environments.

Cultivate Healthy Response Habits. Feeling the urge to jump into every heated debate is a common pitfall of social media usage. Instead of responding immediately, take a moment to count to ten and reflect on your emotions before replying. This simple habit can save you from unnecessary internal suffering and maintain a more positive digital presence, and learn to let go when you can.

Be Kind and Know When to Disengage. Promote a civil and compassionate online environment by being kind to others. If you find it challenging to remain courteous in a discussion, consider disengaging by muting or blocking the account in question. Remember, there are countless opportunities for meaningful conversations with like-minded individuals who prioritize respectful exchanges. Not everyone can be convinced or needs to be.

Recognize the Limits of Online Debates. Some discussions may never reach a resolution or agreement, and that's okay. Understand that people may not be open to changing their minds immediately, and convincing them will require patience and understanding. Aim to foster an environment where ideas can be exchanged respectfully, even if complete agreement is not achieved.

Take more time for in-person interactions. Follow and interact with people near to where you live, or places you visit often. This will help you to turn positive online interactions into real-life friendships. Also spend time with your existing friends and family even if they are not on social media.

Maintaining a healthy social media feed is essential for preserving your mental well-being and enjoying a positive online experience. By following some or all of these steps you can create a feed that enriches your life rather than triggering stress and frustration. Remember, social media is a tool for connecting and learning from one another, so let's strive to make it a place where meaningful and respectful conversations thrive.

Michael Moore is the Editor-in-Chief of Millennial American Dream, you can follow him on Threads