For most people, the option to delete apps and take a break from their phone when feeling overwhelmed is easy. What happens when you can’t do that; when that online space is a main part of their job. Social media burnout is a growing concern, especially for those who work on social media for an income.
Social media burnout is a state of exhaustion caused by excessive social media use. The exhaustion can be emotional, mental, and/or physical. It’s also different from fatigue because burnout affects motivation and creativity along with overall well-being. So for PR professionals whose careers depends on having and maintaining presence on social media, the stakes are higher.
As social media continues to grow and the use increases, so does the odds of social media burnout. For people whose career depends on spending a lot of time online, the odds of burnout are higher. I think there are two reasons for this; (1) they spend more time online, and (2) there’s added stress and pressure to be active online because it is work and not personal.
Being able to recognize social media burnout early is crucial for maintaining your mental health and well-being. Here are some common signs of burnout:
- Emotional exhaustion – meaning feeling drained, overwhelmed or emotionally numb when scrolling and interacting on social media.
- Reduced creativity – having trouble coming up with new ideas and/or producing quality work
- Physical symptoms – including headaches, eye strain, inconsistent sleep patterns and overall fatigue.
- Irritability – feeling easily frustrated or annoyed by minor setbacks or negative comments.
Not acknoledging these signs can lead to a negative impact on self-esteem, anxiety, depression and overall life unsatisfaction. The emotional toll of burnout can spill over to your personal life, effecting your overall happiness. When burnout happens, it can lead to decreased productivity, strained relationships with clients and coworkers and missed opportunities. Being able to reconize the signs early can benefit both your personal and professional life.
It’s important to remember that social media burnout doesn’t happen because of a weakness. It happens because it is a natural response to stress and pressure especially when work and identity are combined with online presence. So if you do recognize the signs, don’t feel guilty or shameful because it not something you can control.
In a world where social media is being intertwined with careers, recognizing and addressing (I will write about how to address it next week) social media burnout is essential. By paying attention to your emotional and physical well-being you can help yourself not feel burnt out as often.
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ellen 
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