A social media detox might sound like a punishment; but if it does, there's a really good chance you need one.
There’s no denying that social media has become a huge part of our life. Apps like Instagram and Twitter help us stay connected with our friends, catch up on news, and discover inspiring people. Yet you may find that spending hours on end scrolling through various feeds can leave you feeling anxious, drained, or dissatisfied.
So how do you know if you’re in need of a social media detox? “Reflect on your habits and evaluate how social media makes you feel and how it impacts your life,” says Catherine Price, author of How to Break up With Your Phone. “Is it negatively impacting your mental wellness? How about your productivity and creativity? Is it taking time away from the activities that make you happy?”
It’s important to note that there’s nothing inherently wrong with spending time on social media, according to Price. “The important thing is to use it with purpose and intention,” she says. If upon reflection, you're able to identify any negative effects that the apps have had on your life, then it’s time for a social media break.
"social media is still an energy exchange... if you're wondering why you're exhausted all the time"Not sure where to start? Try out these 6 expert-approved ideas that will help you disconnect a little and have a happier, healthier relationship with social media.
1. Delete your social media apps.
Now before you insist that you can't quit cold turkey, rest assured that this is a temporary measure. "Take social media off of your phone for 12 hours and remind yourself that you can easily reinstall it," says Price. "It's about experimenting. See what effects not being on social media has and what thoughts it provokes." Once the experiment is over, the idea of limiting yourself will feel so much more doable.
2. Identify what apps you're using most
Download an app like Moment (available on iOS and Android) that helps you break down how much time you're spending on your apps. If you're an iPhone user, you're likely already familiar with your device's built-in feature called Screen Time. Instead of looking at your daily average, check out your list of "Most Used" apps and see how much time you're devoting to specific social media apps.
3. Talk to your friends and family.
In some ways, the people closest to you know you better than you know yourself. Ask your loved ones what they've noticed about your relationship with your phone. You may discover you've unwittingly picked up some bad tendencies, like checking your phone mid-conversation or texting at the dinner table.
4. Think of your attention as a valuable resource.
We're taught from a young age to be aware of how much cash we're spending, but we don't think twice about how much time we're spending on social media. "We need to get a lot better at being protective of our attention and be aware of the things that try to take it from us," says Price. "It's like how we are careful when it comes to our money, but the stakes are higher because our time and attention are irreplaceable."
5. Give your phone a bedtime.
Tell yourself that after a certain hour (like 9pm), your phone goes into its charging station and is out of commission until the next day. Smart tip: Move your charging station from your bedside table to an area out of arm's reach. The less access you have to it, the less likely you are to explore social media until late.
6. Get a real alarm clock.
you should stop using your phone as your alarm clock. The start of the day should focus on intention (What do I want to accomplish today?) while the end of the day should be about reflection (How did today go? How can tomorrow be better?)." When your phone is in your hands the second you wake up, you're more likely to skip that moment of zen and go straight to scrolling.
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