By Riya Addula
As we stretch past a year in quarantine, many of us continue to depend on social media to remain connected to friends and gain insight into the world’s occurrences. Social media has become a largely unifying force during these isolation-filled times. However, as Roxane Gay put it, “social media is something of a double-edged sword”. While social media fosters connectedness and bridges differences in language and culture, it can also be detrimental to one’s life and mental health. With more time spent scrolling through apps like Instagram and Twitter, people often lose sight of their goals and begin to question their self-image. Social media detoxes, while difficult, can be necessary for reversing the negative effects of these platforms.
The big question is: how do you know if you need a social media detox?
- The Commencement of Comparisons
Scrolling through endless images of lavish lifestyles and unrealistic body standards makes it incredibly easy to compare yourself to others, which can significantly impair your mental health. If you find yourself beginning to contrast your life to others, take a break from social media and focus on your welfare instead. - Can’t Stay Focused?
Is it a constant struggle to finish your to-do list? Setting restrictions for social media use eradicates distractions and helps you remain focused, allowing you to complete your agenda undisturbed. - The Endless Scroll
If you ever find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your never-ending feed, it’s time to eliminate social media for the time being. Taking a break will allow you to focus on your well-being and be more appreciative of your surroundings. - The Eye Strain
Do you feel like you’ve been staring at screens all day? Eye strains are a common result of increased screen times. If your eyes continually feel fatigued, be mindful of your technology usage and limit the time you spend on social media. - Memories Through Media
The satisfaction of seeing the likes and comments rise on a recent post can leave people longing for more, which occasionally leads to thinking of life through possible social media posts and captions. Restricting your use of social media eliminates this mind-set and aids you in living your life in the present. - Feel Disconnected?
While social media connects you to millions of people across the world, it can also disconnect you from your close friends and family. Stepping back from social media will allow you to feel less isolated and engage with the present once more. - Browsing During Breaks
Do you find yourself reaching for your phone the minute you have some downtime on your hands? Being more mindful of your social media usage can lead to productive downtime activities and a better state of mind. - Halted Hobbies
Social media can unanticipatedly consume hours of your life. If you find yourself scrambling for time to do your favorite hobbies, eliminate social media for a short period. - Social Media Compulsion
It’s no surprise that social media can be extremely addicting, causing individuals to feel strong urges to check their phones throughout the day. If the compulsion to check social media starts to interfere with your day-to-day activities, it’s time to pull the plug on these platforms and focus more on yourself. - Shattered Sleep Cycle
Abundant social media usage at night coupled with the blue light emitted from screens can result in detrimental effects to the quantity and quality of your sleep. Limiting your social media use can get your sleep cycle back on track, therefore making you healthier and more productive.
In this day and age of spending more time alone, posting photos and engaging with content on social media can transform into an escape from reality, allowing people to keep up with the world and let their worries drift away. But scrolling past post after post can abruptly turn from minutes to hours, leaving destructive impacts on one’s well-being. As we find ourselves frequently turning to our phones, social media detoxes will be all the more necessary in keeping our welfare intact and letting positivity prevail.
Works Cited:
Dowling, Dan. “15 Signs You Need a Social-Media Cleanse.” Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur, 26 Dec. 2016, www.entrepreneur.com/article/285963.
Keller, Brighton. “7 Signs You Need a Social Media Detox.” BrightonTheDay, 13 May 2020, www.brightontheday.com/social-media-detox-signs-you-need/.
