“I think I need a social media detox.” The words crawled out of my mouth like they had been caged up for months.
It was over dinner. I asked my boyfriend to help me brainstorm ideas for the blog. Ian challenged me to think about what I need for my health and well-being.
At first, it felt strange saying it. A break from social media?…gasp!
And then it hit me… if I feel like I need a social media detox, there are probably a dozen people that feel the same. Are you with me?
Why You Need A Social Media Detox
I said “you”, but I’m including myself in that, too!
I understand that a social media detox isn’t the sexiest thing to talk about. But here I am dedicating an entire post to it. Why?
I believe that mindfulness is an essential pillar of well-being. Mindfulness is how we pay attention in the present moment. Without mindfulness, we’re constantly pulled into the drama of the past and worry of the future. This leads to unnecessary stress and anxiety – taking a toll on mental health.
Also, we can’t talk about mindfulness, without discussing what stands in the way of it. Hence, it’s time to shine a light on why a social media detox is essential for self-care and enhanced well-being.
Social media can be a useful tool for connection and communication. However, when used too much, it can close out other forms of meaningful connection, take us away from the present moment, and lead to feelings of isolation and comparison.
7 Signs You Need A Social Media Detox
Do any of these speak to you? Answer honestly:
- You check your phone first thing in the morning and right before bed.
- It’s difficult to concentrate on work. You’re easily distracted.
- You catch yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram.
- You feel tied to your phone, even when in the company of others.
- It triggers comparison thinking. Seeing other people’s posts makes you feel not good enough.
- Social media fills your downtime. You check it in waiting rooms, coffee lines, during commercial breaks, and on road trips.
- Your brain feels “foggy” and you’re a little more stressed and anxious than usual.
If you said “yes” to any of the above, know you’re not alone. Social media doesn’t have to be stressful, exhausting, or addictive.
Whether you use social media platforms for work or entertainment, you have the control to find what “balance” means to you. How cool is that?
It starts with disconnecting from the apps for a brief period to reconnect with your intuition and intention for using social media.
Start Here: Disconnect to Reconnect
A period of disconnecting or “detoxing” from social media can look different for everyone. Here are a few ideas for getting started on your social media detox.
Limit Hours.
Limit social media use to a certain time of day. For example, I’ve experimented with only checking my phone on my lunch break and once after work. I’ll admit: it’s challenging. But having designated times for social media use helped me be more purposeful when I did check-in.
Pro tip: set timers. Your phone’s setting app should have a place to set limits on screen time for specific apps.
Mindful Mornings.
Make it a point to go through your morning routine without checking your phone. Make the bed, wash your face, get dressed, and make breakfast – all without the distraction of looking at your phone. When I wait to check my phone until after I’ve completed my morning routine, I feel more refreshed and grounded in my intentions for the day. By not checking my phone in the morning, I have more time for things like meditation and journaling, essential mindfulness practices for me.
Blissful Bedtime.
Do you check your phone right before bed? When I check my phone right before bed, I usually lay awake thinking about what I just read. Plus, I find it more difficult to fall asleep. Science says the type of light emitted from electronics interferes with our natural production of sleep-inducing hormones (more reason to limit phone use before bed).
My suggestion: designate a charging station for your phone that is away from your bed. This will make it more difficult to mindlessly reach for your phone out of habit. Furthermore, turn your phone on airplane mode to decrease the temptation of checking it.
What strategy will you start with to detox from social media? Remember, no step is too small. Start somewhere, and notice the effect it has on your mental health and emotional well-being.
What do you gain by spending less time on social media?
Join Me! 7-Day Social Media Detox
What is it?
Disconnect from social media for 7 days, to reconnect with your intuition. Take “time off” social to check in with yourself. Realign with your intentions for using social media in a helpful way versus a toxic way.
When is it?
Dates TBD. Thinking November 2020!
Perks:
- Join the Everglow Nutrition community for accountability.
- Receive a daily email with journal prompts to connect to your intuition.
- Create more mental headspace!
How do I participate?
Email rachel@everglownutrition.com if you are interested. Or go through Contact page.