Let’s be real here, real quick… Social Media can completely take over and consume our thoughts. That’s actually what it is designed to do – it’s designed to be an addiction. It’s scary to think about, but it really does have to be acknowledged. The negative side of Social Media pops its ugly head into our lives pretty frequently, whether we notice it or not. Taking a break from Social Media is not a bad thing. In fact, it could change your outlook!
Not everything about Social Media is negative though – it is a great way to stay connected to distant loved ones and even meet new like-minded friends. The idea of connecting digitally has opened up so many opportunities for people all over the world. It really is an incredible thing.
Have you ever taken a break from Social Media? It could be a day, a week, or even a whole month! It can really help you reset – before I get into it too much here are 5 reasons why a Social Media can change your life.
1. Allows You To Stop Focusing On Other People’s Lives
This, in my mind, is the number one reason why I take Social Media breaks. Sometimes you get lost in lives of influencers and celebrities – you might find yourself down a rabbit hole in looking from accounts and profiles. Admit it, we’ve all done it.
As intriguing as the Kardashian family’s lives are and following up on all the latest Bachelor/Bachelorette drama, they have nothing compared to your life. Having a Social Media Break allows you to focus on your own life! Take the time you are spending looking into other’s lives and start investing it in your own.
2. Gives You Time Back In Your Day
Taking a Social Media break means not going on any Social Networking platforms – a clean break from them. You ever think about all the time you spend throughout the day looking at pictures, posts, and videos? It’s probably way more time than you want to admit to (it is for me at least).
Think about all the things you can focus on if you gained an hour or two back in your day? That’s exactly what a Social Media break can do. It can give you time back in your day to try new things, maybe get off your butt and exercise, start a blog! The possibilities are endless – I think it’s fair to say that having a Social Media break can give you the time back in your day to finish a project you’ve always wanted to finish or start a new one.
3. Can Help Your Eyes & Head
I hate getting my weekly screen time report and seeing the hours a week that I spend looking through social, it’s pretty depressing actually. I hope I’m not the only one, I’m actually confident I’m not, who can’t believe the hours that were taken away of my week just simply scrolling. Having a Social Media break can help with the mindless scrolling and staring, which can help your health. Phone screens give off blue light which can have negative effects on eyesight. It is also a leading cause of migraines! Limiting your screen time and time on social media will give your eyes and your head a break.
4. Teaches You To Live In The Moment
I think @influencersinthewild is the ultimate evidence for this point. Seeing the absolutely crazy limits people will go to capture a new picture is at times, hysterical. Because of Social Media, people are always on the look out for the next best picture or video. Whether it be waiting in line to take a picture at a painted wall or not paying attention at a concert or sporting event to get a ‘cool’ picture, people seem to be letting their lives revolve around Social Media. This just means that they are missing out on interactions and moments that you can’t get back.
A Social Media break can help you live in the moment. Put your phone down and start making mental memories! By taking a break from Social Media you allow yourself to pay attention to things other than your phone screen. You may see something new and learn something new. By taking your head out of staring at your screen, you can open your eyes to memories that you can cherish forever. Not worrying about capturing the next most-liked picture on the feed allows you to enjoy the people around you.
5. Can Help Your Self Esteem
Social Media is filled with images and people that appear to be nothing shy of perfect. Fancy restaurants, fancy vacations, luxury cars, perfect models with ‘perfect’ bodies are constant staples on the Instagram Explore Page. Remember FaceTune is a real thing and a lot of people use it daily (Tana Mongeau I’m talking to you!). There’s nothing wrong with face tuning pictures to look your best self – but it is wrong to look at other people’s Instagram Posts and think less of yourself. When looking through Instagram it’s easy to get lost in seeing what you don’t have or what you don’t look like. We live in a world that promotes instant gratification, likes, follows, and bases them all off of looks. Getting lost in the perfectly curated world of photoshopped realities can play games with your mind.
It’s important to remember that you are beautiful, strong, and have everything that could want in life. A social media break can help reset your mind and help you realize that. There’s no need to compare yourself to others. There’s no need to do things others are doing. Focus on yourself and your own well-being. Taking a break from social media can allow you to fall in love with yourself again. Your follower count doesn’t matter. The amount of likes you get doesn’t matter. Who likes your pictures doesn’t matter. You matter. Put yourself first!
Teena Fey 