October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, an international observance dedicated to education, awareness and advocacy around mental health. In my role as a Social Media Team Lead, I’m often asked at networking and industry events: “How do you manage being immersed in social media every day? Doesn’t it ever feel mentally exhausting?”
At first, I didn’t think much about it, until those questions started coming up more often. That’s why, for World Mental Health Day, I’d like to share a few practices that have helped me build a healthier relationship with social media, along with insights businesses can use to support their teams and strike a better balance online.
The double-edged role of social media
I’ll always go to bat for why companies need to be on social media. Still, I know firsthand how tough it can be to keep up with the never-ending updates and trends. Because things change so quickly, it’s easy for expectations to become unrealistic and for stress to build—for both the people posting and the people scrolling.
The always-on culture blurs work-life boundaries, while the pressure to deliver likes, engagement, ROI, and constant content can fuel creative burnout. Add in the weight of crisis management during negative feedback, and it’s easy to see why social media often takes a toll on mental health.
While these challenges are very real in social media, my almost 10 years of experience have taught me ways to navigate them. With the right perspective and applying practical strategies, social media can shift from being a source of pressure to a powerful, creative advertising tool that drives real impact.
How businesses can support healthier social media use
Authentic messaging: Avoid perfection culture—embrace real, human storytelling. Your audience will always appreciate seeing you or your team online. They want to know the faces and stories behind the brand. Being authentic and transparent with your audience will build a strong, dedicated community.
Not every social post needs to be SELL, SELL, SELL. Sure, driving ROI is the goal, but don’t forget—community matters too. Highlight your networking, community, and fundraising events on social media to show the causes your brand supports. When you share these stories, your audience not only sees the impact you’re making but also benefits from the resources you’re putting out there.
Internal practices: Scheduling tools are a lifesaver for managing social media. At seoplus+, our team sets aside filming days to batch-create content. After editing, we drop everything into HeyOrca and schedule it weeks or even months in advance. This takes so much pressure off during busy times, like the holidays, because your content is already lined up and ready to go—leaving you free to focus on other projects instead of scrambling to decide, “what are we posting today?”
Less stress, more fun: Social media scheduling also makes it easier to pace your content—focusing on quality over quantity by posting consistently rather than constantly. While it’s true that hopping on trends quickly can be valuable, it’s not the only path to success, and it’s something many people find stressful about social media. At seoplus+, our team has seen great results creating videos around older trends, because at the end of the day, it’s about having fun with your team. That authenticity is what your audience connects with most.
And for all the people reading this who are in the social media field. Here are some tips that I’m sure you’ve heard before, but it’s always good to be reminded.
5 proven ways to prevent social media burnout (Both personally & professionally):
- Curate feeds: follow accounts that inspire, educate, and support.
- Take breaks: encourage digital detoxes—even for team members managing client accounts. Take a walk outside, feel the sun on your face, touch grass!
- Use tools wisely: leverage scheduling, reporting, and automation to ease the “always-on” pressure.
- Remember the human side: behind every comment, like, and share is a person with their own mental health story.
- Set healthy boundaries: Define when and how your team engages online, focusing on connection rather than constant output.
World Mental Health Day is a good reminder that social media should feel less like pressure and more like connection. By setting boundaries, using the right tools, and keeping content authentic, we can make social media healthier—for ourselves, our teams, and our communities.
So today, let’s commit to not only supporting mental health in our own lives, but also creating healthier, more authentic digital spaces for everyone.
Here are some resources that the seoplus+ team has found helpful when it comes to mental health awareness:
Mental health & social media FAQ
How can businesses support employees’ mental health when using social media?
Start by recognizing that social media roles come with unique pressures—constant connectivity, high public visibility, and rapid content cycles can lead to burnout.
At seoplus+, we take proactive steps to support our team’s well-being. One key initiative is offering Mental Health Training, helping employees build the skills to manage stress and maintain balance. We also collaborate with Yvette Murray, Canada’s Mental Health Trainer, to provide expert-led training and resources tailored for workplace wellness.
Creating a culture of openness and support is essential—mental health should never be an afterthought.
Is it better to post less often on social media to reduce stress?
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to post daily on social media? You’re not alone. Posting manually every day can lead to stress and burnout.
Instead of reducing how often you post, consider using a social media scheduling tool. This allows you to batch your content in advance and spread it out over time, so you can stay consistent without the daily pressure.
Think of it as a “set it and forget it” approach to content planning. It also gives you the freedom to take a break from social media. With your content already scheduled, you can step away from your phone knowing everything is running in the background.
How can you set healthy boundaries with social media?
Start by being intentional. Define your purpose for using each platform, whether it’s for networking, learning, or promoting your business. Then:
- Set time limits using built-in phone settings or apps.
- Turn off non-essential notifications to reduce distractions.
- Schedule content in advance so you’re not always “on”.
- Take regular digital breaks—even a few hours a day makes a difference.
- Avoid comparison traps by curating who you follow and engaging with value-driven content.
Why is World Mental Health Day important for digital professionals?
World Mental Health Day is a reminder to prioritize well-being just as much as performance. For digital professionals, that means:
- Recognizing signs of burnout early
- Setting clear boundaries with tech use
- Normalizing conversations about mental health at work
- Building workflows that support both creativity and balance
Your best work starts with your best self.
