Welcome back to the savvy psychologist and I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson. I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

We'll use the best of psychology to help you be happy, healthy, and most importantly,

yourself.

So there's been a lot of coverage about how Facebook is addictive, makes us depressed, gives us eating disorders, makes us antisocial, and generally turns us into self-hating losers.

But with 700 billion minutes worldwide per month spent on Facebook, people must be getting something

out of it. I combed through the lesser

known research to find out how to get the most out of Facebook and use it to

enhance your life. So to that end, here are six tips on how to use Facebook to make you happy.

Tip number one, participate. So don't hang out on Facebook just to look at your news

feed or other people's profiles. Instead, only go there when you have some

news to share. A 2013 study found that Facebook frequenters who spent time on the site

without posting their own content were more likely to feel envious and

dissatisfied with their own lives.

The biggest culprit of envy, your friend's vacation photos, more proof that those Beach Feet selfies are not good for anyone.

Tip number two, share good news.

Everyone knows that people selectively filter their lives when they post. Parties, babies first step,

anniversaries, and beautiful weekends at that B&B and Sonoma all make the cut.

No one posts that creditors are calling or that they're hung over on a Tuesday.

But the effect of posting this positive information

is that you get positive feedback,

which is not only reinforcing,

but according to a 2012 study out of Columbia University also boosts Facebook user self-esteem.

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