Unplug from social media! Something that sounds so good in theory, but something I have never done. Social media carries a lot of weight and is the cause of many mental health issues. Fact is studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, harm, and suicidal thoughts. Social media should be a place that makes you feel happier, healthier, and more positive. I also find that it is a big ole waste of time. In fact, not using social media for a week my phone usage was down 38%. During my week off I read a book, listened to an audio book, was more productive and the biggest thing is my husband and my kids noticed I wasn't tied to my phone. I'm sharing some of my other thoughts and tips for a good social media detox. I will be doing another break from social media in May and I invite everyone to join with me!
I had a few questions I wanted to ponder while I was away from instagram and facebook. The first being what am I getting from social media? The second being what is social media taking away from? I know that I use it reflexively. I check it out of habit not because I need to. But what am I getting from it?
I personally love following people that make me happy. I absolutely LOVE seeing everyone's families, I'm a sucker for a good baby giggle on an instagram story and I learn great tips and tricks from so many creative people on social media. I have chosen to curate my feed to people I enjoy following, I have found profiles that make me smile and laugh. Profiles that add good into my life. And when I go to the browse page and I see certain celebrities or influencers that drives me crazy, I simply block them. I don't follow any news organizations or politicians because I know for me personally that can cause me anxiety. I reserve my social media to a place that isn't controversial, a place that is lighthearted, a place that is fun. I am not saying everyone should do that but for me PERSONALLY it works.
I personally love following people that make me happy. I absolutely LOVE seeing everyone's families, I'm a sucker for a good baby giggle on an instagram story and I learn great tips and tricks from so many creative people on social media. I have chosen to curate my feed to people I enjoy following, I have found profiles that make me smile and laugh. Profiles that add good into my life. And when I go to the browse page and I see certain celebrities or influencers that drives me crazy, I simply block them. I don't follow any news organizations or politicians because I know for me personally that can cause me anxiety. I reserve my social media to a place that isn't controversial, a place that is lighthearted, a place that is fun. I am not saying everyone should do that but for me PERSONALLY it works.
Even if social media brings me joy it does suck a lot of time away from me. When I see people doing fun things and I am at home on a Saturday night and Jay is working a night shift in the ER you better believe that causes me some FOMO. But what I have learned if I sitting in my PJs at NYE at 8pm cause Jay is working maybe it is best if I don't scroll social media. I think my take away is that I am in charge of how I use it.
YOU are in charge of how often you use social media, but here are some tips to reducing your time.
YOU are in charge of how often you use social media, but here are some tips to reducing your time.
- Take facebook and instagram off of your phone screen. All you do is simply click on the app you'd like to delete it then press remove app, then chose remove from home screen. This way I can still search for it but it does take that extra time.
- Set a social media timer on your phone. I never did this before but I recently set my timer for 3 hours a day. I was shocked that the first day back I didn't even come close to the 3 hours. Which makes me think I could set it to 2 hours especially this summer when I am home with my kids.
- Keep your phone out of reach. Let your phone run out of battery and have it charge upstairs or in another room. Same goes with going to bed. If you scroll at night don't sleep with your phone next to your bed.
- It is ok to be away from your phone and it is also ok to be unavailable sometimes.
- Create a mental list of times when phone use or scrolling social media seems inappropriate, to me that is all meal times, when I'm playing with my kids, when I am socializing (in person), driving, or when having any conversation.
- Set boundaries for yourself, I realized I really loved not scrolling social at night or in the morning first thing. I went to bed 30 minutes earlier every night by not scrolling. So this is something I plan to keep off limits. No social in bed!
- Keep a magazine or book in your car. I waste SO much time scrolling in my car while I shuttle my kids around. I started keeping a vanity fair magazine in my car. I love having something to read that isn't my phone.
- If you are a parents keep in mind we model our behavior to our kids. So if our kids see us on our phones all the time how can we expect them not to be on theirs (when they get one).
The take away for me is setting limits and boundaries for my social media. I need to figure out when is the best time to use it and to make sure I am not taking time away from my kids or sleep to scroll. I also think when I am having FOMO this would be a great time for me to take a break. I think you need to find what works for you.
Cheers,
Jess
Cheers,
Jess