Dr. Kiki Ramsey on Mental Health: Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Social Media Notifications
Taking Back Control of Your Mental health: Social media isn’t just for staying in touch anymore—it’s now the main source where many people get their news, entertainment, and daily dose of engagement. Dr. Kiki Ramsey, a positive psychologist and executive coach, warns that the constant barrage of information can leave us feeling overwhelmed. “They’re throwing everything at us at one time so that we can’t catch our breath,” she explains.
Based in Atlanta, Dr. Ramsey has spent her career helping people—especially women—use positive psychology to reach their goals. Rather than dwell on problems, she focuses on strengths and shows others how to use them to navigate our increasingly divided world. “I made it my life’s mission to use positive psychology as a catalyst for success,” says Dr. Ramsey.
The Overwhelm is by Design
Sociologist Jennifer Walter puts it bluntly: “Your overwhelm is the goal.” Nonstop streams of opinions, news, and misinformation are engineered to wear people out, making it harder to focus or act. Media theorist Marshall McLuhan foresaw this situation: “When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged.” Dr. Ramsey notices this happening everywhere—people feel paralyzed, unsure how to respond, and something new always comes up before they can catch up. “Most of us can’t even keep up. We can’t keep our heads on straight, and then something new comes along,” she points out.
How can you take back control? Dr. Ramsey recommends setting boundaries for how much information you consume. “You can only control what you can control,” she emphasizes. She avoids diving into negative headlines upon waking, choosing instead to prioritize self-care, uplifting content, and personal development in the morning. “If you start your day with negativity, it affects your entire day, maybe even your week or month,” she points out.
Changing Information Habits in the Social Age
People no longer rely solely on traditional media for news; many turn to Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. “Back in the day, we got our news from the news. Now, I might go to Instagram to check CNN,” Dr. Ramsey notes. This shift means news is filtered through thousands of personal opinions, often in real-time commentary. Popularity does not make something true, so she stresses that everyone must be wise about what they accept as fact.
Online Pressures: Cancel Culture and Comparison
Cancel culture dramatically alters online engagement. “Cancel culture is a terrible thing,” Dr. Ramsey remarks. “People live their lives online now, and when you cancel someone, it doesn’t just affect their internet presence—it spills into their real life.” Public scrutiny can become so intense that she’s assisted clients who needed temporary breaks from social media simply to recover.
Constant comparison with others online is also a problem. For instance, Dr. Ramsey once coached a highly successful psychologist who felt inferior after seeing what peers posted online. What she didn’t realize was that these same individuals were also struggling. “Nobody has it all together,” Dr. Ramsey reminds us.
Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Ramsey also speaks out about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, underscoring their importance beyond buzzword status. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they represent a fundamental demand for all people to be treated as human beings,” she insists. She encourages allies to speak up and urges members of diverse communities not to shrink themselves. “We belong here and our voices matter,” she says.
From Online Activism to Real World Change
Staying active online is important, but Dr. Ramsey urges people to focus their activism on real-world change. “Online activism holds power because most of us are online, but our real activism shows up at the polls,” she explains. Raising awareness online can help, yet meaningful change happens when people vote for those who share their values.
Protecting one’s boundaries is just as important for online sharing. “There is a thin line between what should be shared and what should stay private,” Dr. Ramsey advises. Chasing engagement can push people to reveal deeply personal moments, but she encourages careful thought before posting. “Just because something gets engagement doesn’t mean it should be posted.”
Parenting, Digital Consumption, and Well-being
As a parent, Dr. Ramsey enforces even stronger boundaries for her kids. After noticing subtle shifts in her six- and seven-year-olds’ attitudes and behaviors, she made the call to remove YouTube from their routines, even though screen time was already limited. “I saw little things creeping in—attitudes, behaviors that weren’t part of how we do things in my house,” she says. Cutting back didn’t mean her children became isolated. She notes, “My kids remain socially engaged and well-adjusted.”
Strategies for Digital Self-Care
For anyone struggling with social media’s effects, Dr. Ramsey recommends taking intentional breaks. “I stepped away for a month, and it was amazing,” she shares. Work and life both continued, but she didn’t scroll. The result? More calm, increased creativity, and a sense that the world kept turning. She reminds users, “If you’re not making money from social media, don’t spend all your time watching other people make money on social media.”
Those feeling anxious or overloaded should step back, breathe, and remember they control their own digital boundaries. “You cannot control everything happening in the world, but you can control how much access it has to you,” Dr. Ramsey advises.
Empowering Women and Reclaiming Focus
For women who want to refocus and build intentional careers, Dr. Ramsey is hosting Thrive 25, a two-day conference in Atlanta designed to help women step into their purpose. Find more information at Thrive 25.
Dr. Ramsey’s insights serve as an important reminder. Social media is here to stay, but it doesn’t have to dictate how you think or live. Practice mindfulness, set firm boundaries, and remember—real life happens offline.
Dr. KiKi Ramsey Positivity Psychologist
#SocialMediaWellness #MentalHealthAwareness
