It’s Okay to Take a Break
Social media has evolved from mindless fun to be a huge part of our daily lives. It’s how we consume most of our information, and it influences everything from elections to public discourse.
But social media is not real life. As much influence, or seeming influence, it has, it’s a curated and selective sample of what’s actually going on in the world.
Social media is addictive. It is designed to keep you coming back with notifications and likes. It’s keeps you on a constant loop seeking gratification. Every time there is a new notification or Like, you get a little bit of a dopamine hit. This is most definitely done on purpose.
These apps and websites have been optimized by behavioral scientists and psychologists to keep you engaged for as long as possible. The more you visit the app or website, and the longer you stay on the platform, the more ads they can present you. The more ads you see, the more money they can make off of you.
You begin to find validation and satisfaction with the interactions on their platform. You fiend for it like a drug.
If you feel like social media has taken over your life, if it is constantly on your mind, or if you find yourself always reaching for your phone, mindlessly scrolling to fill the “boredom,” these might be signs that you need a break.
1. There is so much time in the day to get things done, afterall.
It is amazing how much free time you have when you stay away from social media. Time that can be spent on the things you actually care about, or changes you can make to improve your world. You get a chance to take a step back and evaluate what’s truly important in your life and what is a more worthy use of your time and mental energy.
When you start a social media detox, you will probably be a little “bored.” That compulsion to check your notifications whenever your phone is in your hand has to be replaced with something. The amount of time you spend on your phone will have to be used for something else. Hopefully, something much more productive.
2. You don’t really need it to stay “informed” or “connected” to people.
For some, social media is how they stay informed. For others, it’s how they keep in touch with friends they aren’t able to see everyday in real life.
If they were to take a social media break, they would feel like they are missing out. But it is not true. If something is that important, you’ll hear about it from a friend, family member, or colleague. And, you can still watch the news on tv. Besides, most of the information being consumed is only a distraction and not actual news.
If you follow inspirational people on social media, you can still read books, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts for a while to fill that void.
To stay in touch with people, you can call, text, email, or even VISIT them IRL! You’ll realize how few people you actually want to check in on regularly. You won’t know what Cindy from the third grade had dinner, but you will know how Grandma is doing or how your nephew did in his baseball game.
3. Disconnecting is good for your mental health.
Social media is not real life. It sucks you into a curated world full of pretty people doing extraordinary things, living in beautiful houses, driving luxury cars, and buying expensive toys. It can make you feel bad about yourself and your life.
This is toxic to our mental health. And, most of it is useless to you besides disturbing your inner peace.
After a week or so, you will start to feel less need to keep up with the Jones’s, whom you’ve never even met. You’ll inevitably compare yourself less to other people. This will lower your anxiety because you won’t feel the stress to keep up with the imaginary lives of the Insta-perfect.
If possible, replace your social media habit with something else.
Some suggestions:
- Reading all those books you’ve been meaning to read
- Spending time with friends and family
- Taking up a new hobby
- Learning a new skill
- Exercising
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