Your Instagram feed should be a source of motivation, inspiration, and positive energy. After all, the average person spends between 30 and 60 minutes a day on the app. Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends, family, and the world around us — not to mention the Fit Body community!

But unfortunately, too much mindless scrolling can impact your mental health negatively. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy. And while a complete digital detox can be tempting, it may also lead to a sense of disconnection from loved ones.

Instead, try cleaning up your feed rather than ditching the platform altogether. With a clean and positive Instagram feed, you can enhance your well-being and cultivate a healthier relationship with social media.

The content you consume daily influences your emotions and perceptions, making it essential to create a positive and uplifting Instagram feed. So let’s explore effective ways to clean up your Instagram feed, decluttering it from negativity, and curating content that boosts your mental well-being.

Unfollow Accounts That Trigger Negative Emotions

Begin by evaluating the accounts you follow and how their content makes you feel. As you’re scrolling, pay attention to what you’re thinking about each post you see and how it makes you feel. If certain accounts consistently trigger feelings of inadequacy, envy, or sadness, it's time to hit the unfollow button. 

Prioritize accounts that inspire, educate, and uplift you, aligning with your interests and values.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusivity

Diversify your Instagram feed to include content from a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. Follow accounts that promote inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and body positivity. 

Ask yourself if the people you’re following (and the people they’re featuring) look like you, talk like you, come from the same background as you, and have similar experiences as you. That’s not necessarily a bad thing by itself, but exposure to diverse content helps broaden your understanding of the world and fosters empathy, promoting a positive outlook on life.

Filter Out Toxic Content

Instagram allows you to filter and control the type of content you see. Use features like "Restrict" to limit interactions with negative individuals or "Mute" to hide posts from accounts that may impact your mental health negatively. Taking charge of your feed helps create a more nurturing online environment.

Limit Celebrity Comparison

While following celebrities can be fun, constant comparison to their seemingly perfect lives can negatively impact your self-esteem. 

Remind yourself that social media often presents curated snapshots of people's lives (aka the highlight reel), not the full picture. If you feel inferior or unhappy after scrolling through celebrity accounts, consider unfollowing or reducing your exposure to them.

Focus on Inspirational and Educational Content

Include accounts that offer value, such as educational content, inspirational quotes, or tips for personal growth and well-being. Following accounts that share positive and helpful information can enhance your knowledge and provide a daily dose of motivation.

But be careful: Not everyone out there touting themselves as an “expert” actually has the training and experience to be one. Before taking their word as fact, do a bit of digging to make sure they have the credentials to back up their content.

Cultivate Mindful Content Consumption

Practice mindful scrolling by being conscious of your emotional responses to the content you see. Set boundaries for your social media usage to prevent it from becoming overwhelming or detrimental to your mental health.

Take breaks when needed and avoid excessive time spent on the platform. There are third-party apps you can download that can either block the site after a certain time limit or change images to black and white so they’re not as eye-catching to look at.

Interact With Like-Minded Communities

Engage with communities that share your interests, passions, or hobbies. Positive interactions with like-minded individuals can create a sense of belonging and support, fostering a more positive social media experience.

And while it doesn’t have to be all sunshines and rainbows all the time — it’s important to have a safe space where you can be honest with your Fit Body buddies — you should always feel supported.

Use Content Control Tools

Instagram offers content control tools that allow you to manage your interactions and reported content. Utilize these features to filter out inappropriate or offensive content, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience — not just for you but for all users!