So, what is the first thing you do in the morning? Reach for your phone? Well, we all are guilty of this. Undoubtedly, technology has made our lives more comfortable, but it brought its fair share of challenges with itself. One such challenge is the overuse of social media and its addiction. In this post, I’ll discuss 10 ways to do a social media detox, which will help you reduce your screen time. It is no more a hidden fact that social media affects our mental wellbeing. And to live a healthy life, one should take a break from social media every now and then.
How to do a social media detox
1. Turn off notifications
I believe social media notifications are unnecessary.
Nothing happens on social media that requires your immediate attention.
I mean, you can do just fine without being informed in real-time that your ex-boyfriend’s sister’s dog did a cute trick today.
Even when you want to take a break from social media, and stop sharing stuff online, the constant notifications get in your way.
Consuming social media without any content creation is also toxic and degrading to your mental health. So, just turn off all the notifications and focus on the smallest of the moments of your life.
2. Set time reminders on Apps
Apps such as Facebook and Instagram allow you to set a daily time reminder.
You can choose the amount of time you want to spend on the app, and when your activity exceeds that time limit, you receive a reminder.
Although, I am not a very big fan of social media and I hardly post stuff online. But I love scrolling through Instagram. It is so addictive!
When I checked my daily activity, I was surprised to see the amount of time I was spending at watching others do random stuff.
This feature of setting a reminder has helped me a lot to get over my Instagram addiction.
If a simple app reminder is not enough for you, set an alarm on your phone before logging into any social media account. This way the noise can remind you when you exhaust your time limit.
3. Deactivate your account
This is the best way to do a social media detox, when you want a temporary break and wish to come back to the world of social media after some time.
Deactivating your account is different than deleting it. When you deactivate your account, nothing gets deleted. Your posts, friends and everything else remains the same. Deactivating is like pausing your account, till the time you are ready again.
You can reactivate your account anytime you want.
4. Delete the Apps from the phone
Smartphones are handier than a laptop.
It is easier to be on a social media platform via phone than is it to be via a laptop. Therefore, delete the apps, and your activity will automatically decrease.
Even if you feel like scrolling through Instagram, you won’t feel like getting out of your bed and open the laptop. Secondly, I believe, social media especially Instagram is more fun on a phone than on a computer screen.
5. Have social media free days
Start small and then gradually increase your social media free days.
I like my Sundays to be mindful, hence every Sunday is a social media free day for me.
Have a few days in a week where you don’t use social media at all.
It is like fasting. The only difference is that instead of the food you refrain from social media.
This is necessary to cleanse your mind of all the negativity and the apparent socializing you are exposed to every day.
I believe, the weekend is the perfect time to indulge in self-care and mindfulness activities. And there is no better way to be mindful than taking a break from social media.
Related : 70+ Self care ideas that will improve your life
6. Ask for help from friends
So, you are trying to do a social media detox and your friends keep texting you on Instagram and Facebook?
Talk to your friends and family and tell them about your situation. Let them know about your plans and ask for their help.
Request them to call you or message you on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, instead of Instagram and Facebook.
Because it is almost impossible to chat and later not scroll mindlessly through the apps.
7. Pick up a new hobby for boredom
How many times do you find yourself busy on the phone, because you don’t know what else to do?
You are waiting for a friend to pick you up from home, and you have some free time. What do you do? Get on social media?
If yes, then you need to pick up a hobby.
When you have no idea about what to do in your downtime, your brain tends to pick up the laziest option, and that is being on social media.
Do more of what you love. Something for which you thought, you don’t have time anymore.
There is always time. All you need to do is decide and prioritize.
Related: Productive things to do when you are bored : 50 ideas
8. Remove the apps from the home screen
Whether it is your phone or your computer, remove the apps from the home screen.
The idea behind is to not see the apps and not getting tempted to open them.
Stop giving excuses like – Oh, what would happen in 5 minutes, I’ll close it after 5 minutes.
Accept it! Before you know it, your 5 minutes magically turn into 50, and the idea of a detox goes immediately out of the window.
You can also put a lock on the apps. So, every time to click on them, you need to enter a password to access it.
This will work as an additional reminder and help you stay away from social media.
9. Unfollow people
Social media should be fun and a source of joy to you.
It should not be a platform where you question your worth and talent.
Unfollow all the negative people who make you feel inferior in one way or the other.
If there is someone who affects your mental peace, don’t shy away from blocking them or restricting their account.
Sometimes it is not about how much time you spend online but what you do in that time.
Related: How to boost your self confidence : 10 simple ways
10. Have patience
You are trying to make a shift in your daily routine, and it takes time.
You cannot just randomly quit social media one day.
Have patience and follow all the steps one by one. Do not try to do everything at once.
Allow yourself to adapt to new habits. Give yourself some time.
If you fail, try again. But don’t quit.
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