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Adolescents
How to Have a Healthier Relationship with Social Media
We now live in a world where it’s almost impossible to escape the grasp of social media.
The majority of people now have access to smartphones, which means more and more people are joining social media every single day. A healthy social media relationship is key.
According to We Are Social, there are 3.8 billion social media users as of January 2020, which is 9% higher than last year. Social media has the potential to enhance our lives, but only if we use it in the right ways.
Utilize the Follow/Unfollow Button
Social media is all about connection, but with billions of people using the platforms every single day, there’s bound to be negativity. When thinking about how to be a healthy user of social media, think about why you are following the people you do. Are they giving you some type of benefit? If the answer to that question is yes, then keep following them, but if they are making you feel bad about yourself, it might be time to hit that unfollow button.
One simple thing you could do is a social media “audit,” which involves going through all of the people/pages you follow and asking yourself “does this account make me feel good about myself or does it invite negativity?” By doing a sort of social media “cleanse” your feed will ultimately be a more positive environment, which will help you have a healthier relationship with social media overall.
Connect with Others
Taking the time to connect with others based on similar interests and/or hobbies is truly what is at the core of social media. Truly taking the time to connect with genuine people who are also trying to have a healthier relationship with social media rather than comparing yourself to others will teach you how to be a healthy user of social media and its various platforms.
Most times, people see social media as a place of comparison where everyone is competing for attention and be better than everyone else at the same time. If you try shifting your mindset to a place of connection rather than comparison, you might begin to see social media in a whole new light.
Use Screen Time Limits
Sometimes we all get caught up in the endless scroll, and it’s okay! It’s nothing to feel ashamed about. If you’re an iPhone user, there’s a handy-dandy setting that can help you set app and screen time limits, so you’re more aware of how much time you’re actually spending on individual apps. This might be helpful if you want to be on your phone less, but use the time you are on social media more effectively.
About Peek Counseling
Katie Bisbee Peak is the founder and sole practitioner at Peek Counseling. Her passion and drive is to support, encourage, and empower the people she works with. She specializes in working with youth/adolescents, individuals, life transitions, and offense specific treatment.
Adolescents
Grief: Heavy Stuff for Teens
———- Trigger warning: loss and suicide ———-
As a teen counselor in Denver, Colorado, I have seen more than my fair share of seriously heavy stuff, that adolescents really shouldn’t have to have on their plate – but they do. I am passionate about helping teens deal with grief. (You may have read my past article on Teen Suicide here.)
How to explain death to an adolescent
Many cultures tend to think of life as “ending” when we pass. Others believe that the soul proceeds to a place to either wait out eternity in bliss or return to the Earth in another form. In many religions and cultural groups, your ancestors live on and with you (especially in many Asian influenced parts of the world).
No matter your personal view on death, there is one universal fact. Once someone passes away, we will never get to see them or engage with them in the same way that we did when they were here. How do you explain to a child or a teen when someone has left and won’t ever return?
There’s no magic answer for helping teens who are grieving
Just like adults, kids process information in different ways depending on the unique individual that they are, and the circumstances and relationship to the deceased. Whether it was sudden or expected and how close they were to the young adult all matter when it comes to grieving.
The bottom line is there is no time line and no set path for them to follow to healing. As adults and caretakers, it’s our job to create space for those feelings. When I am counseling teens, I always try to listen first, and that would be my best recommendation to you. Just listen. Every time. Even if you’re busy, or have laundry to put away, listen to their memories that pop up that they want to talk about. Hear how they want to navigate their grief.
Teen counselors can help with the grief process
As kids, we love our parents, but once we get to a certain age, it can be harder to talk to them about some things. A teen therapist who specializes in counseling that particular age group can be an asset after a loved one, classmate, or acquaintance has passed away.
Remember that because teens are typically less experienced with death, every one is amplified. So, if the relationship didn’t seem “close” to you – if it was the postman they saw every day, or the school janitor, it can really disrupt their feelings of security. It all matters.
Has your adolescent or teen been through a loss recently? Please reach out. My door is always open and my heart is with kids who go through intense situations such as these. Without proper space to heal through grief, teens can start to be drawn toward depression, anxiety, and withdrawal from their support system.
Consider reaching out for a complimentary consultation. I am here for you. ~ Katie
About Katie Bisbee-Peek | Peek Counseling Denver, CO: Katie Peek began Peek Counseling as a way to reach those in our community who need support most. She is a therapist for fellow therapists, as well as a counselor for young adults, teens and adolescents. She brings a sense of humor to her work and offers a safe place to simply be yourself and talk about how to cope with all the heavy and tricky things in life. Contact me here.
Happiness
