Why You need a Social Media Detox. These Reasons Will Blow Your Mind.

Are you consuming more than you are churning out, or do you spend so much time on social media? Then you possibly need a social media detox.

Do you scroll mindlessly on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok?

Is it affecting your productivity? And you don’t know how to go about it.

You are in the right place because you’re about to know everything about social media detox, its benefits, being accountable to yourself, and also a challenge to help you. 

Whether you are a content creator or you love social media, people are addicted not only to social media but to their phones. 

So you sometimes see yourself scrolling mindlessly, which eventually drains and strips you of your energy, and leaves you tired.

Most times you are on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube in search of a particular thing, and thirty minutes gone, you find yourself still scrolling, forgetting what you went to check online.

As someone who has struggled with mindless scrolling and has overcome it, it is possible for you too.

I had to be intentional about it by telling myself if I’m not making money on social media or if it isn’t affecting my life positively, why do I have to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour on social media?

Why do you need a social media detox?

• You are mindlessly scrolling on social media.
• You feel drained and tired afterward (Burnout).
• Your screen time is screaming.

All you need to know about detoxing.

As the word says, detox is doing away with something harmful or tiring for as long as you want. It could be seven days, two weeks, a month, or even a year. 

For example, you’ve heard people say they love to detox their system at the beginning of each year. It means they are getting rid of harmful substances in the body. 

Social media detox is having a common ground, a balance between social media and your mental health, and being present in the moment.

One time, I took a month break from social media, one of the best decisions I made, and came back refreshed, renewed, and happy. 

That break was needed because a lot was happening around me; it was harming my mental space and level of productivity. I was anxious, tired, weak, and scared.

Will you someday take a break from social media? 

You can start by staying off social media for the first few hours in the morning. Honestly, it doesn’t have to be all social media platforms. You can start with a particular one that has too much of your attention.

Most people don’t want to stay off social media because they believe they will be left out, but above all, what should be of utmost importance to you should be your mental health.

Different ways social media is affecting you.

Trouble sleeping? It could be social media.

Research says when going to bed, do away with your phone 2-3 hours before. Blue light emitted from your device’s screen can interrupt your sleep pattern.

Less Productive

Because of how the platforms are built, without being intentional about your time, you get sucked in, and you forget other important things that require your attention.

5 Reasons why you need a break from social media today

• Better sleep pattern

You might have noticed you don’t get enough sleep, you wake up feeling tired. 

Research shows that the blue light emitted by our mobile devices affects our sleep patterns. And it is suggested to do away with your mobile devices two to three hours before bed.

• Always present in the moment

You’ve probably gone out with someone, and all they did was be on their phone the whole time. Taking a break from social media will allow you to pay attention to the little things you ignore and be present every time.  

• Stops the comparison cycle

Whether you like to admit it or not, spending too much time on social media allows comparison to creep in.

Studies have shown that people who spend a lot of time on social media compare their lives to those they see online.

• Frees your mental space

The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is to grab your phone and scroll aimlessly on social media. 

Picking your phone immediately after you wake up in the morning exposes your mind to different things all at once, leaving your mind clouded and busy throughout the day. It, in turn, makes you feel tired and restless.

• Nothing to show for it

You hop on social media to check a particular thing, and thirty minutes after, you still find yourself scrolling ( swipe, swipe, swipe).

 A lady once said if you are not making money on social media or benefitting anything, you shouldn’t spend thirty minutes to 1 hour there.

Things to do when you are detoxing.

1. Exercise
2. Do Yoga 
3. Meditate
4. Read a book
5. Journal
6. Pamper yourself ( look after yourself physically)
7. Go to a spa, take a walk
8. Volunteer at something interesting 
9. Rediscover yourself
10. Write a letter to your future self
11. Organize your closet
12. Listen to a podcast
13. Just relax

Some social media detox mantra

1. Less scrolling, more living
2. I don’t have to post it to prove it
3. Disconnecting is good for my mind
4. It’s time to go offline to realign
5. I don’t need to be online every time.

If you want to reduce burnout and anxiety, you need to be intentional and disciplined on your journey to social media detox. I’m not saying it will be easy, but it will be worth it, and it will be the best thing you will do yourself.