Today’s simple tip is to take breaks from social media. It seems silly to read a post on social media telling you to take breaks from social media but I stand behind it. Even though it is one of the ways I am able to share positive messages with you lovely people, I believe it is a healthy and necessary thing to implement regularly.
Scrolling through social media can become an automatic mindless habit. You do not realize you are spending so much time tuned into it. It can become a habit in many ways such as using it to procrastinate, out of boredom, need for reassurance or distraction. I am not saying anyone is bad for falling into such a habit. I have been guilty of it myself. That’s why I know that a few tips surrounding social media can really help create a balance. We have good intentions with social media such as connecting with friends and family, sharing photos, access to useful tools and information. It’s also a good source for humor. I know, memes can be funny and laughing is so good for us. Cutting out social media completely is not what this is about.
Just like all of my simple tips, this is about being fully intentional about the reason you are doing the activity. It should add value to your life, not detract from it.
Breaks from social media and/or technology can be any of the following:
Daily. A certain time period of the day that is social media or technology free time. Examples: At dinner time and an hour afterward to allow time to connect with family. Or it can be the hour before bed time to allow your mind and body to naturally wind down. Or every morning, the first hour do not use social media. Of course this does not assume you are using social media the entire rest of the day. This is just a daily commitment to some sacred time that is always meant to be free from devices/social media.
Weekly. A scheduled day every week that you do not use any social media or technology. For example, technology free Tuesdays. On those days, do other activities that do not need to be plugged in. Commit to it for the entire day. If work makes that impossible choose a day you are off work.
A full week. You may even commit to a whole week of unplugging to reconnect to yourself. This is helpful if you are experiencing a high level of stress or a spike in the level of anxiety you are feeling. Especially lately with a lot of unknown ahead of us in light of the pandemic. Take off a week from social media and detox from the habit. Revert to calling friends to hold a conversation and check in with them. Take a walk outside, listen to music, exercise.
Discard completely. If you feel having social media detracts or only negatively affects your life then you certainly should consider ditching it altogether. I hope that is not the case but there is no law that says we all have to be on social media. Sign up for my blog contact list and I can email you anytime I release a new one!
The things that can pop up in our social media feeds are endless. Well meaning people may think everyone wishes to read the latest news update every day but that’s their perspective. I only like to catch up on the news once a week. But that is my personal preference. Also, no matter how carefully I curate my contacts in social media, it never fails that someone will start posting something disturbing that I do not want to see. Taking breaks is very helpful. It gives you space, helps break it as a habit and lets you control how you use it.
Taking breaks from social media can reduce stress and anxiety from information overload. Engaging too much creates a rabbit hole. Before you know it you have blown through 30 minutes or more just scrolling. Also there are so many ads that pop up so be mindful your are not falling into the trap of impulse purchases.
The best benefit of frequent social media breaks, it can keep it from becoming a habit. It shifts from habit to intentional use for positive purposes. Allowing you to connect, uplift and create a positive circle of support.
I will be back in a week (after my social media break) with another simple tip to help you create more simple, healthy habits for a simple, healthy life!
Enjoy the journey and always be true to yourself!
~Jen to the Zen