Youve probably spent more time dissecting your mental health this past year than during any other time of your life, and for good reason. Either a pandemic or political unrest would be enough to cause serious stress on their own but put them together and were all walking around feeling like we may spontaneously combust.

The last year hasnt exactly looked like what were used to, and the same goes for mental health guidance. Its not that the advice youve received in the past isnt valid. It just doesnt apply to what life looks like today.

We asked experts share the mental health tips that dont really apply to this time in our lives, and what to do instead to help take care of yourself. Heres the common mental health advice you should ignore right now:

Stay off social media.

Instagram rarely looks like reality, and deleting social media apps for a while might have previously helped you manage your mental health. Many experts also typically advise unplugging completely and taking time away from your screens.

But theres a good chance your phone or computer has been a lifeline to some semblance of normalcy, whether it be attending a weekly Zoom happy hour with friends or flipping through your feeds in an effort to feel connected to whats going on in the world.

Social media is really a double-edged sword, said Kristin Gernon, a behavioral health training and development specialist at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City . It can keep us connected to others and help us find supportive groups. On the other hand, it can also be a great source of misinformation and can lead the most secure among us to compare our seemingly average lives to others who appear to be on extraordinary adventures.

To get the benefits of connection and community while protecting your mental health, Gernon said its important to be intentional about what youre seeking out. App algorithms feed you more of the content youre already looking at, so instead of doomscrolling through the news all the time, mix in some inspirational quotes, healthy recipes, cute puppies or whatever else makes you smile.