Taking a Break from Social Media

Taking a Break from Social Media

Taking a break from social media means a different thing for everyone. Some may interpret this as once a week or once a month, others may decide to take a week off or even more.

Social media is one of the most draining things for our mental health, sitting and staring at a screen all day comparing ourselves to others, seeing what they are doing or flicking between the different sites. Recently, you may have found yourself doing this more often than usual, especially during lockdown when there hasn’t been much else to do; but taking a break is key.

Many people overindulge in these apps and send their screen time through the roof. However, sometimes we need these apps to stay in contact with friends, work, or to read the news, but we can still limit the time we are on them. Personally, my university course is about being up to date with the world, finding stories and knowing what is going on, but I still make sure to take a break or only use it when really needed; not to just sit there scrolling endlessly.

I have found that when I am not on social media my mind feels less clouded. This may be because I have been more productive, instead of just sit scrolling through social media all day. Instead of my screen time being seven or eight hours, on the days I take time off from social media it is nearly halved to four or five. This gives me more time to focus on things that I need to do, things I may have put off because I convinced myself that I don’t have enough time.Throughout lockdown many celebrities and influencers announced on social media that they are taking a break for a day or more indefinitely in some cases, and who can blame them.

Balancing different aspects of my lifestyle is something that I have only taken into account during lockdown, especially when I feel as though I have nothing else to do but scroll through social media and see how others are spending their time. Observing how others are spending their day or how happy they represent themselves on social media probably isn’t that beneficial. Particularly if you have either come home from work or have spent the day sitting on the sofa in your pyjamas, eating chocolate, drinking tea and watching the final episode of the series you started that morning.

Everyone’s lives are different, and everyone’s content will show them doing different things. Sometimes we need those days where we don’t get out of our pyjamas. But that person on social media who has gotten dressed up for their trip to the supermarket won’t make you feel better.

Instead of spending your time watching what other people are doing with their day or how they are spending their lives, take some time out for yourself. Do the work that you have been putting off, facetime or call your friend who you haven’t spoken to in weeks or even months; call a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while; take a bath; read a book; cook yourself your favourite meal; take a walk; meditate or watch that series or film you have been meaning to watch. Some time off social media can sometimes change your whole perspective and mental state.