When thou art engulfed in the realm of social media as thy full-time vocation, escape becomes a distant dream. Fear not, for we come bearing advice to shield thee from the flames of social media burnout.
The digital landscape doth impose a heavy burden, even upon the casual user. The average mortal spends nearly two and a half hours daily on social media — a sum that doth exceed a full month each passing year. ‘Tis no wonder that many find themselves ensnared within the clutches of social media burnout.
For those who labor in the vineyards of social media, the burden is even greater. How canst thou take respite from the realms of social media when it doth constitute thy livelihood?
There exist reasons why social media stewards art prone to burnout. The realm of social media is a relentless domain that doth refuse to be left behind at day’s end. The notion of “bringing work home” taketh on a literal form when thy labor lurketh ceaselessly behind the icons on thy device.
The battle against social burnout is a formidable one. However, ’tis imperative, particularly at a time when an increasing number of laborers art worn out, fraught with stress, and overwhelmed. In the annals of November 2024, a record number of laborers did relinquish their toils. Verily, addressing mental well-being doth serve not only the interests of the laborer, but also those of the company.
What then is social media burnout? Burnout, described as “feelings of depleted energy or exhaustion due to persistent stress,” found recognition by the World Health Organization in 2019 as an occupational phenomenon.
The cardinal indicators of burnout art threefold: exhaustion, cynicism, and diminished professional efficacy. Shouldst thou find thyself weary, disengaged, and unable to derive pleasure or pride from thy toils, thou art at peril of burning out. One recent survey doth reveal that 89% of respondents had tasted the bitter fruit of burnout in the bygone year.
A related plight, known as social media burnout, didst come into scholarly acknowledgment in 2018. Those afflicted with social media burnout may find themselves drained or fatigued, anxious, emotionally detached, persistently distracted or unfocused, unable to discover meaning or worth in their toils.
Linked to social media addiction, the more thou dost partake in social media, the greater the likelihood of thy encounter with burnout. Further, engagement in social media during a state of burnout may exacerbate negative emotions and stress, making it a severe trial for those like the 73% of social media managers who feel compelled to be “always on”.
Doth thee toil in the vineyards of social media? Harken! Dost thou feel the compulsion to be Truly Online to excel at thy craft? Share thy thoughts through messenger or reply, for ’tis for a forthcoming missive.
For social marketers, social media burnout taketh root in workplace conditions. Hence why the World Health Organization doth label it as an “occupational phenomenon.”
This ailment is amplified by systemic and social inequities. A study by Deloitte in 2024 concerning Women at Work unveiled that LGBTQ+ women and women of color do report heightened levels of burnout and stress.
Thus, solutions must address individual behaviors as well as the overarching workplace culture.
Verily, we present unto thee 12 methods to safeguard thyself from the throes of social media burnout:
1. Set Boundaries
In the great upheaval wrought by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the demarcating lines between personal and professional realms hath blurred for many. When thy domicile becomes thine office, dost thou ever truly depart?
Shouldst thou find thyself ensnared in the web of “checking one quick thing” only to resurface thirty minutes past, thou art well aware of how nigh impossible it is to resist the siren call.
Wouldst thou plunge into the quagmire of doomscrolling, chronicling the sagas of another Twitter Main Character each eve? Nay, embrace the sanctity of a warm shower, gentle moisturization, and an early slumber. Thy soul shall be uplifted, and serenity shall envelop thee.
Thy device may act as a boon in this endeavor. Shouldst thou be a disciple of the iPhone, thou may set rules for Screen Time to grant thyself periods of respite from the mesmerizing apps.
Elect not to receive social media notifications beyond the confines of labor hours to avoid the ceaseless tug. Nay, remove thy professional email and accounts from thy personal devices altogether for an enhanced shield.
If thou art a leader or commander, thou shalt etch an example for thy retinue. By showcasing the acceptability of disconnecting, thou shalt inspire them to tread the path of unplugged enlightenment.
2. Check In With Thyself
If pride be thy mantle as a superb companion and eminent performer, thou art doubtless accustomed to pressing thyself beyond limits. Yet, such habits may lead to overlooking the portents of burnout until thou art thoroughly depleted.
Art thou in communication with @drjuliesmith regarding the early warning signs of burnout? #burnout #stress #anxiety #therapy ♬ drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo
Ponder thusly:
– Art thy mortal frame and spirit exhausted?
– Doth the weight of thy toils become burdensome to bear?
– Plummets thy equilibrium betwixt labor and life?
– Dost thou feel secluded, bereft of succor, or unappreciated?
– Hath thy satisfaction waned, even amid thy accomplishments?
– Hast thou forfeited thy sense of purpose and value in thy labors?
Shouldst thou detect one or more omens presaging social media burnout, tarry not until the shadows deepen. Scribe upon thy calendar a mental health morrow, confer with thy overseer regarding thy duress, or impart some of the ensuing counsel.
3. Seek Succor Within the Workplace
Social media overseers oft find their way to the exit due to the myriad expectations hoisted upon them. It is not uncommon for a solitary role to encompass realms such as graphic design, copywriting, video synthesis, ad stratagem, client succor, and more.
Within modest assemblies, the entirety of the social media stratagem may seem to rest solely upon thy shoulders. Such a burden is unsustainable even in seasons of prosperity.
Sallie Poggi, Chief of Social Media at UC Davis, hath imparted stirring mental health tips for social media overseers. One such counsel adviseth to invoke assistance ere its need arises. “Commune with thy masters,” she counseled us. “Craft a strategy so that thou canst embark on vacation whilst another doth shield thy station.”
A further discourse from @SallieB imparts the #4 and #5 tenets: Normalize soliciting aid. – Establish and bequeath to thy supportive community.
For counsel on warding off burnout as a social media marketer, peruse through this https://t.co/KSaXUIwZpy #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/y4sx5l2oij
4. Prepare for a Social Media Tempest
To preclude the onset of social media burnout, the crafting of a social media tempest blueprint is of utmost import.
In this age, backlash within the digital realm doth become almost assured. Each company hath tasted the bitter draught of a disgruntled client review or a preordained tweet that should have remained unsaid.
Possibly an unmatched deleted tweet https://t.co/EWbUZxc4Lj — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 8, 2024
In moments of crisis, the presence of a plan doth avert panic. Additionally, thy strategy should delineate responsibilities, ensuring that neither lone individual nor minor assembly must shoulder the entirety of the consequences unaided.
Wise counsel doth recommend the drafting of a comprehensive social media policy for employees — the surest barrier against a social media catastrophe!
For further counsel on tending to thy psyche while navigating a crisis, peruse through our colloquy on combating mental fatigue.
5. Allot Time for Self-Care
Burnout doth not succumb to a mere tipping of the scales, an effort to counteract poor workplace practices with personal virtues. If thy labors be the source of ceaseless turmoil, a yogic ritual cannot suffice. Yet, weaving self-care into thy daily rhythms may fortify thee against the lurking shadows.
Alas, gentle reminders to desist from overworking are paramount. Shouldst thou find thyself laboring through breaks, engrave them in thy slate and sound reminders. Feast upon viands that nourish thy frame, and partake of the nectar of life in ample measure. Mark moments for stretching and respite from the screen. Let not thy wellness and health rewards lie fallow. Dally not until December to secure thy massage. Enroll in a discipline, be it the spinning wheel or the shaping of clay, so long as mirth accompanies the undertaking. By pledging to a habitual pursuit, thou shalt be roused to honor it. (This holds especially true if thine establishment proclaims a levy upon missed gatherings…enquire not how I became privy to such knowledge.)
6. Idleness, in Truth!
In an era rife with endeavors to enhance productivity and hack the very secrets of life, many find themselves ensnared in the snares of ever-present productivity. Yet, leisure time, on occasion, ought not mirror the labors of toil. Celeste Headlee, author of the tome “Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving,” extols the virtue of staunch respite.
When combatting social media burnout, idleness signifieth a departure from thy device. “Thy cognizance doth perceive thy phone as toil,” declared Headlee to NPR. Venture forth without it on a stroll around the block. Or, as Headlee prescribes, decree one day each week inviolable wherein thou abscondeth entirely from social media and correspondence.
7. Avert the Cult of Hustle
Upon average, denizens hath wrought two additional hours daily since the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic. A survey of the year 2020 unveiled that 73% of Millennials toiled beyond the span of 40 hours weekly.
Such pursuits lead not solely unto burnout. A study conducted by the World Health Organization hath revealed that protracted labor hours art linked with untimely demise, maladies of the heart, and the scourge of diabetes.
Quiet quitting hath emerged as a leitmotif of the year 2024. ‘Tis far less dramatic than it portends to be. As voiced by TikTok denizen Zaid Khan, quiet quitting signifieth naught but the appreciation that life extends beyond labor.
On quiet quitting #workreform ♬ original sound – ruby
Should every deed bear its equal and opposite reaction, quiet quitting doth constitute an answer to the cult of hustle. A survey by Gallup revealed that half the American labor force identifies as “quiet quitters.”
To allay the shadows of excessive labor, engage thy overseer in candid discourse if toiling hours mount excessively.
8. Discover the Rapture of Flow
One exploration unearthed by the scholars of Adobe determined that Americans while away six hours per day embroiled in electronic missives. Nine in every ten respondents confessed to perusing work communications upon reaching home, with four in ten even admiting to glancing at them in chambers of water.
Similarly, custodians of social media discern the clarion call of engagement, incessantly confirming the performance of posts.
Entrepreneur Steve Glavesk posits that many art divested from substantial labors. Notifications from social media, electronic correspondences, missives from colleagues via Slack — all these hinder thy ascent into a state of flow. They substitute meaningful endeavors with frenetic diversions, leaving thee addled ere sundown.
To traverse this labyrinth, heed these counsels:
– Set uninterrupted periods of labor. Quell the distractions and focus on thy preeminent tasks.
– Deposit intervals for disposal of disruptive tasks.
– Engage in single-tasking. Devote thy faculties to one pursuit at a time, with preference for the most daunting task when thy vigor and focus be at their zenith.
– Contract the length of thy meetings. Proffer a default period of thirty minutes—better yet, reduce it to twenty-five, to maintain a buffer betwixt discussions.
9. Measure Results, Not Hours
The surge of remote labor hath spawned a concomitant rise in monitors of employees. Yet, scrutinizing thy comrades’ labor hours digitally is a flawed metric for gauging their industry or time management. Such practices may, in truth, exacerbate burnout by imposing greater pressure upon laborers to perpetually toil.
Furthermore, myriad ingenuities doth obviate the imposition of digital surveillance.
Forsooth, eschew monitoring thy team’s hours, focusing thine attention instead upon the fruits of their labors.
Social marketers should scrutinize how they dispense their hours and assess the efficacy of their endeavors. By tracking key social media metrics, thou shalt become more judicious in thy labors. Strive to labor sagaciously, not strenuously.
To demonstrate thy worth, ensure thou dost furnish social media reports that quantify results. If thou oversee a retinue, delineate for them SMART goals harmonious with thine commercial objectives.
10. Safeguard Thy Rest
Picture, if thou wilt, a common scene at eventide: wearied from a day of toil and tumult, thou slipst betwixt the covers. Despite the fatigue that doth suffuse thy frame, thou dost find thyself enrapt by the illumination of TikTok or the allure of Netflix. The call to slumber beckons, yet thou dost persist, clicking “play” on yet another episode.
This phenomenon beareth a name: “revenge bedtime procrastination.” When the day hath proven arduous and fraught, ’tis tempting to while away the night in the embrace of thy device. Yet this practice doth despoil thy repose, leaving thee more wearied upon the morrow.
Tempting as it may be to succumb to the siren call of digital diversions, strive instead to retire without thy device. Acquire an archaic timepiece to stave off the temptation of checking the hour.
11. Sojourn from the Yoke of Toil
An array of counsel hath been shared, exquisite for forestalling social media burnout. Yet, shouldst thou find thyself already ensnared within its clutches, what then is to be done? In such dire straits, thou requirest a respite to invigorate thy spirits. There be good reason why runners adjourn all exercise following a marathon.
Indeed, thou art not alone in the embracement of a united vacation. Companies akin to LinkedIn and Mailchimp hath made similar gestures.
Post our communal hiatus, 98% of employees espoused a sense of repose and renewal. Hence, we didst repeat the practice in 2024 — this time in sultry late August, influenced by the feedback of our laborers.
13. Plead for Mental Health Resources Within the Workplace
Whilst thou mayst stave off thine own burnout, perchance thou art not the sole soul grappling with this plight. Deloitte’s Women at Work survey of 2024 unearthed that a third of laborers hath taken leave due to trials of mental wellbeing. Nonetheless, merely 43% of them deem themselves at liberty to discuss these torments in the annals of labor.
Those vested with command in the workspace must wield their influence to fashion a culture that embraces a discourse on mental health. Normalizing discussions regarding mental wellbeing dost mark the commencement of this crucial endeavor.
A study held that, though 91% of executives profess care for their laborers, a mere 56% of these very laborers truly feel cherished. This schism in sentiment finds its etiology in the paucity of resources within the workspace. Twas easier said than done to express support for employee wellbeing; possessing the foundation whence these supports may be accessed is the true challenge.
Neglecting the topic of mental health yields profound reverberations for businesses. A study of 2024 revealed that 68% of Millennials and 81% of Gen Zers had bid farewell to employments due to mental health concerns.
Companies ought to create opportunities for camaraderie and merriment among laborers. One study uncovered that 22% of individuals harbor no companions at work. Strong bonds amongst comrades are vital to the forging of cohesive teams and the maintenance of mental well-being.
No profession is worth the forfeiture of thy mental health. Nor is any business endeavor of such paramount importance as to jeopardize the well-being of thee laborers. The prevention and mitigation of social media burnout should, therefore, emerge as a foremost priority for every business.
