Reasons You Should Try a Social Media Fast
A popular way people are getting unhooked from digital addictions is through a social media fast. Just like a 24-hour fast from food is a health habit that helps the body detox, a social media fast frees up your mind to ditch bad habits and regain its sharpness.1. Quit Getting Distracted
Social media is one of the biggest distractions in the world. When working at a computer, it’s so easy to switch tabs to your social media feed while your boss isn’t looking. Unfortunately, with an abundance of content and updates from family and friends, it’s easy to waste hours a day doing nothing but scrolling.Regain your focus
A social media fast will help you regain your focus. Use the time without social apps downloaded to your phone to instill productivity habits that will remain even once your fast has ended. Instead of checking your Facebook notifications, do some jumping jacks to reset your brain. For example, do a crossword puzzle at lunch instead of watching the latest Instagram Live.2. Be More Present
How often has social media taken your time and attention away from loved ones? Probably more than you’d like to admit. Your social media fast will help you reconnect with your friends and family in a more meaningful way than ever.It’s rather ironic that social media has in many ways degraded our relationships when it was originally built to help us stay connected. However, that’s the sad reality, as social media is now more for laughing at memes and watching creative videos rather than sharing pictures with family and messaging long-lost friends.
3. Stop Being Bored
When you’re feeling bored, the first thing you’re likely to do is to pick up your smartphone and start browsing your social media apps. But there are so many better ways to use your time! A fast from social media will force you to figure out new ways to fill your idle time.Find other activities to interest you
When your brain recognizes that other activities can take place in a time of boredom, you’ll have an easier time gravitating toward said activities even after your fast has ended. Hopefully, this means you’ll stop resorting to social media apps every time your mind goes blank.4. Increase Your Self-Esteem
Numerous studies have shown a correlation between excessive use of social media and depression, along with other mental health difficulties such as anxiety and stress. These effects are mostly caused by the feelings of inadequacy that come from watching other people live their lives through social media. Jealously quickly sets in when other people look much happier, wealthier, and more attractive than you believe yourself to be.Want to do a side hustle?
You can even use your calendar to put together a side hustle for yourself. This side gig can give your life some extra meaning, even providing an alternate career doing something you truly love. Plus, you’ll be able to generate the extra income you need to go on all the nice trips that kept getting you down when you saw them on social media.5. Improve Your Physical Health
Just like with your mental health, your physical health can experience a boost as you cut down on social media. For starters, time spent off-screen can be more active, getting you off the couch more often. You’re also giving your eyes a break from staring at a bright screen with small text for prolonged periods of time.Speaking of that tiny screen, the blue light emitted from smartphones can make it difficult for many people to fall asleep and rest well. However, by toning down your social media usage, especially right before bed, you should be more successful following a healthy sleep routine that will leave you feeling genuinely refreshed in the morning.
If you’re not fully convinced of the power of a social media fast, try a short one as a test drive. For example, make it a goal to spend the next Monday at work without checking social media once. Note how much you’re able to get done and how you feel when you clock out. If you had a positive experience, try it again the next day until you’ve fully reached your stride.
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