If deleting your social media account makes you feel anxious, you need a social media detox. Here’s how social media affects mental health and how to detox.
Social media is many things to different people. For some, it’s business, others entertainment, an escape? A way to communicate and connect? Seek validation? Spy on an ex?
Whatever your reason is for being on social media, you will benefit from a social media detox.
I joined social media for innocent reasons, as most of us do (because everyone else had an account).
It wasn’t long until I realized I could use it for an even “worthier goal” in service of my fragile ego.
Serving My Ego Through Social Media
Here are some of the creative ways I used social media to serve my ego.
- To share quotes and articles that made me sound wise and all-knowing.
- When I was too scared to start a business, I used it to share success advice I had read on Forbes and used the likes as validation that I was indeed an entrepreneur even though I had not taken any action towards the goal.
- I was adding the title of CEO to my bio to look impressive, although I had no real business at the time.
- I used Facebook and Instagram to play detective and spy on my then boyfriend’s exes.
- Checking up on people I knew just to make sure they were not becoming more successful than me.
- Posting pictures for validation then taking them down when they didn’t get enough likes.
- Keeping up with the latest gossip or whatever information junk was available.
- To hate on the people who represented my ideal life.
- Passively, to avoid life or work.
I could go on if I had space, but the takeaway from all this is that I used social media to connect with friends and family, only 10% out of 100.
Unfortunately, the other 90% of the time was either for entertainment or in service of the ego.
So, in an attempt to get back my sanity, I went on social media detox, first for a month, then another.
It’s now been two years and a half, and yes (in case you are wondering), I still have a life.
If you are interested in quitting social media or going on a social media detox, I’ll give you the tools to do so effectively.
What is a Social Media Detox?
A social media detox is a conscious elimination of social media use and consumption for a set period.
Generally, most social media detoxes are 30 days, but some people do seven days or even a year-long social media detox.
Why should you take a social Media Detox?
Except for a few people who use social media for business, all of us could benefit from a social media detox. Why?
First, because it adds unnecessary stress to your already stressful urban life, therefore, going on a detox can help clear your mind and reduce stress.
Bailey Parnel in a TedTalk, gives four most common stressors on social media, namely, highlight reel, social currency, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), and lastly, online harassment.
The Highlight Reel
We use social media as a personal highlight reel. We are highlighting the best and brightest moments.
The flipside to sharing our wins and best moments is that we struggle with insecurity because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reels.
Social Currency
With likes, comments, and shares as the new dollar, it is no wonder that we attribute our value to the number of likes and shares we get on social media.
According to Parnel, you are working for the social currency when you take 300 selfies to get the perfect one or even take it down if it doesn’t get “enough” likes.
F.O.M.O
Surprisingly, the number one reason people give for not quitting social media is the fear of missing out. Missing out on what?
The news? Other people’s lives? Latest cat videos?
Online Harassment
You’ve seen the nasty comments and bullying that goes on social media. We wouldn’t tolerate it in the real world why should we in the virtual one?
If any of these four stressors hit home to you, then you may want to consider a social media detox.
Learning To Control Your Digital Habits
Secondly, social media addiction is real.
Additionally, if you have been considering going on a social media detox, then I insist that you do because without realizing it, you could be addicted to social media.
How do you know you are addicted to social media? If the thought of deactivating all your social media accounts makes you anxious.
Going on a social media detox will help you take a step back and take back control of your digital habits.
Benefits Of a Social Media Detox
So, what can you expect to gain from a social media cleanse?
More Free Time
According to a survey, 45% of the world population uses social media on an average of 2 hours, 23 minutes.
Seriously, think of all the things you could do with those extra two hours.
Every one of us has an area in our lives we can improve. You can use the free time to read, get in an hour of exercise, or maybe use the time to get some extra sleep.
Use the spare free time to do something that will enrich your life and contribute to your wellbeing.
Increased Productivity
In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport says that the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task is what will make you stand out in the increasingly competitive society.
He also says when you give a task 100% of your attention, you can reduce the amount of time you spend on it.
Therefore, if you regularly check your social media while you work, you are, according to Newport, you could possibly be creating shallow work and losing productive time.
Consequently, social media detox will help you increase productivity.
Improved Relationships
With more free time on your hands, you can now focus on the relationships you have in the real world.
The social media detox can help you relearn the art of listening and savoring the time with your partner or children instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media while talking to them.
Self-Reflection and Self Discovery
Perhaps the most valuable lesson I have learned from my social media detox is that the world still goes on without me, and I am better off spending my time putting myself before the selfie.
Additionally, social media is not necessarily the problem; it is a tool; we can use it for either good or bad.
The comparisons I made were personal insecurities I had to pay attention to.
Also, the validation I was seeking to buy through social currency (likes and comments) I now give to myself.
The dreams and success quotes and articles I shared, I now use to motivate myself to take action on my goals.
I am much more present at dinner parties; I savor every experience, I am present in conversations, I use my free time to journal, meditate, and learn more about myself.
And still, the world on social media is going on without me; it’s as if I never existed on it and am happy about that.
You know why? Because I now live for myself, I am at home with myself and with the people I love.
How To Go On a Social Media Detox
There are several ways you can go on social media detox; however, I’ll just give you the steps I took.
- Start small, delete the social media apps off the phone for five days. Get back on over the weekend.
- Repeat this after two weeks.
- You can even do this with a buddy.
- Regularly check in with how you feel.
- Manage any withdrawal symptoms with a calming and relaxing activity( Yoga, meditation, or art therapy).
- Keep your phone away while you work or sleep.
- Next time shoot for 14 days then get back. Repeat the process until you feel indifferent to social media.
How To Overcome Fear Of Missing Out
Sadly, we would rather miss out on our own lives than miss out on other people’s lives.
Here is how to overcome F.O.M.O.
- List all the things you are afraid of missing out on social media.
- Also, list the number of things you could improve on in your life.
- Find Creative ways you can do some of the things you fear missing out on
- Use the remainder of the time to work on improving other aspects of your life.
Remember, you do not have to go cold turkey start with seven days; trust me, the social media world will go on and so will your life.
See how you feel after the seven days.
Additionally, expect to get withdrawal symptoms as you would with any addiction, but keep going; you will feel better by the fifth day.
What To do Instead Of Social Media
A social media detox is helpful only if you use the free time constructively. Here are some activities from Krystal that you can do.
Some of them include.
- Read a book
- Have meaningful physical conversations
- Go to your favorite Café and Read a Magazine.
- Take a Walk
- Play with Your kids
- Exercise
- Meditate or spend time in silence
- Prepare Meals for the week.
- Take a Nap
- Write a gratitude list.
- Journal
Closing thoughts
Social media is not all bad. Indeed we can use it to create change in the real world and to connect.
But when we become addicted and use it to avoid our real lives, we lose out on what it means to be alive and to live fully.
So go on a detox, be present in your life, it is happening now!
If you need support to go on a social detox, let us know in the comment section, and I will personally help you out.
With Love,
Sania
Dailyzens.
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