Free yourself from the pressure of social networking

Social networks have a major impact on the world today. Today, it's hard to find anyone with a smartphone without at least one account on a social network. It's become a kind of room where people lock themselves away and react at every turn. What can be done to relieve this pressure to react?

The psychological pressure of clashing

In the sphere of social networks, clashes [disputes] in Africa, and more specifically in Cameroon, attract a great deal of attention. While some create them voluntarily for a variety of reasons, others, on the other hand, actually engage in vehement exchanges with the origin of an initial, more or less voluntary attack by one of the protagonists. This generally leads to positions being taken and camps being formed.

At a second level, followers are drawn into the battle through comments. Everyone takes a stand in favor of one side or the other, sometimes using inappropriate language. In response to one comment, several others are published. The conflict thus triggered spreads to the point of crystallizing general attention on a social network.

By way of illustration, Maalhox and Kocee, two Cameroonian artists, have been engaged in a clash for almost a month. Although it must be admitted that the confrontation has taken on a more personal dimension, the two are mainly clashing over their ability to make rap music. To amplify the clash, several social media outlets have relayed it.

It's a psychological battle, and nobody wants to let it get to them. It's precisely because they're trapped in a social networking bubble: you have to react at all costs to preserve your image. They are constrained by the "what will people say if I don't speak out" mentality. In fact, one of the reasons for reacting is not always linked to a desire to retaliate against the attack, but rather: if I don't react, what will people think?

React and then reflect

In the same vein, because of this desire to always make up their minds, many people react precipitately. They don't take the time to think things through and consider all the implications of an issue that affects them directly or indirectly. A few hours later, they're still the first to apologize by deleting their previous posts. We see this all the time with famous Internet users (they are followed by thousands, even hundreds of thousands of followers) who scrutinize their every move.

As with the clash, this situation spreads through the comments, rather like a pandemic. Everyone receives their own dose of contamination and is carried away by its effects. Even if the author apologizes for his outburst, the damage has already been done. Then it's back to the drawing board, with vehement exchanges in the comments, each in his or her own emotions.

Work on detecting your emotional triggers.

Everyone on earth has emotional triggers. They are very often at the root of reactions, whatever the context. Knowing these triggers helps us to better understand the situation we're facing. For some, it's hypocrisy, lies or manipulation; for others, it's arrogance, vanity or anger. The list is far from exhaustive.

According to Joti Samra and Mary Ann Baynton, once everyone has identified their emotional triggers and explored the thoughts or memories associated with them, it will be easier to react appropriately, so that triggers can no longer dictate behavior and words. Training yourself to identify what influences an emotionally affected reaction is therefore a good way of controlling your posts and reactions on social networks.

Beyond the virtual

It's no longer a marginal phenomenon: the context is marked by a strong digital influence. However, we often forget the power of nature and its restorative qualities. Our attachment to social networks makes it less easy to maintain a certain balance with nature.

Whether you choose to take a walk in a forest or by the sea, the benefits of nature help you to regain your calm. The practice of the Japanese concept of "Shinrin Yoku" (forest bathing), lowers cortisol levels (which increase stress) for people walking in the forest, compared to those walking in urban areas. In other words, they're calmer. In the same vein, according to a study published in 2015, Caroline Madeleine Hägerhäll demonstrates that: "nature's fractal properties, i.e. the fact that nature is composed of geometric shapes reproducing themselves at different scales, promote relaxation."

A calmer mind is proof of better emotional management. Nature also has a restorative role to play, especially in an ultra-connected world where many people are locked into the virtual, and more specifically into social networks.

Illustration: image generated by Meta

Source:

Maalhox vs Kocee ça rigole pas part 1
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHhbwEyTtgg

Emotional triggers - Workplace strategies for mental health
https://www.strategiesdesantementale.com/resources/declencheurs-emotionnels

How nature affects well-being.
ttps://youmatter.world/en/category-environment/nature-benefits-well-being-and-scientific-study/

Origin of the clash between Maalhox and Kocee
https:// www.culturebene.com/87403-origine-du-clash-entre-maahlox-et-kocee.html

Musique - Cameroun : Kocee Vs Maalhox, the clash resumes!
https://lesrencarts.com/musique-cameroun-kocee-vs-maahlox-le-clash-reprend-aprement/

Apologies :

h ttps:// www.facebook.com/share/p/19K6yy2rpV/

h ttps:// www.facebook.com/share/p/1643Siuhpz/

h ttps:// m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0a4eNcdWsH1ZFSPdkBayGYGTyUGAAydPq3LdJJrWyVdAoJmcRN5gNLQtcjzC9pLXal&id=107046457520866&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FbYD3a89Z/