Written by: Crystal Harrell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
With the rise of technology and the shift to a global society, many people constantly check their phones and other gadgets for updates and scroll through their social media feeds.
Although some people have deleted their social media accounts altogether, many use these tools to grow their online brand or company. You can even use social media to make money online!
Social media can indeed be used for both good and bad. However, there is a difference between using social media to create vs. consume. And most of us have spent countless hours consuming miscellaneous information.
Taking a break from social media can be rejuvenating and good for the mind. Limiting social media use could be just what you were missing in your self-care routine. The current article lists several key benefits of taking a social media break. Some benefits of a social media detox may surprise you!
Here Are 7 Key Benefits Of A Social Media Break:
1. You will enjoy better sleep.
Like most people, you probably spend a good chunk of your day scrolling through social media. But have you ever noticed that you tend to sleep better when you take a break from it?
There's a reason for that. Social media is full of bright lights and stimulating content, making it difficult to wind down at night. While trying to sleep, your brain is still in "awake" mode and dopamine levels are high, making it harder to drift off.
So, if you're having trouble sleeping, it might be time to disconnect from social media and give yourself a break. Moreover, you might be surprised at how much better you sleep when you're not constantly checking your phone.
We all know that getting a good night's sleep is essential, but sometimes it can be hard to catch those Zs. If you're having trouble sleeping, you can do a few things to improve your situation.
Start by keeping your phone away from the sleeping area
So, you may also want to try to set a standard sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the exact time every day can help to regulate your body's internal clock and make it easier to fall asleep. Finally, create a relaxing bedtime routine. This can include taking a warm bath or reading for a few minutes before getting out of bed.
2. Spend more time focusing on creating more inner peace
Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a significant source of stress. So, constantly checking for new updates can lead to anxiety and frustration ‒ Especially if you're not receiving the same level of engagement from your followers. Furthermore, photos of other people's perfect lives can trigger envy and inadequacy.
Never compare your reality to someone's highlight reel
So, taking a break from social media is a good start if you want to reduce your stress levels. You may find that you have more time for activities you enjoy and can focus more on the present moment without being distracted by your online connections.
Lastly, whether it's a temporary break or a permanent one, disconnecting from social media can help you to lead a less stressful life. And it is highly recommended not to use social media for more than 20 minutes daily.
3. Your mental health will improve over time.
Despite its many benefits for business owners and content creators, it's no secret that social media can be a significant source of stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Constantly comparing your life to other people's "highlight reel" can leave you feeling inadequate, and the constant flow of bad news can be overwhelming.
Similarly, taking a break from social media is a good start if you want to improve your mental health. Also, stepping away from the endless scroll of Instagram can help you to focus on the present moment. And taking a break from Twitter can help to reduce your anxiety levels.
Of course, using social media in moderation is essential, but if you want to improve your mental health, taking a break from time to time is necessary.
4. You'll be more productive.
Social media can be a huge time suck. Whether scrolling through your feed for hours or getting lost in a Twitter rabbit hole, it's easy to waste hours of your day on these platforms.
The average person spends about two hours and 27 minutes daily scrolling through social media. That's enough time to get a second job! Better yet, you could invest that time in building your own company.
This doesn't mean you have to give up social media entirely but taking time away from it daily can help you focus on other tasks and get more done. So, if you're looking to boost your productivity, consider taking a break from social media. You might just be surprised at how much you can get done without it.
5. You'll not compare yourself with others.
Social media can bring out your competitive side, even if you aren't conscious. This is because gaining exposure through social media platforms like Facebook is fundamental to their existence.
Also, the number of likes, shares, and comments a post receives is a good indicator of its overall popularity. Which might motivate you to try to top the performance of your peers and even yourself.
Finally, this level of rivalry is unhealthy and has been linked to psychological issues, including anxiety and despair. So, taking a break from social media will refresh your mind and improve your focus.
6. You'll get more free time.
We all know the feeling: you're scrolling through your feed, mindlessly scrolling through an endless stream of updates, photos, and videos. You're wasting time, and you know it.
But you just can't seem to stop yourself. If this sounds familiar, then taking a break from social media is in order!
So, disconnecting from social media can be challenging, but it's worth it. In addition, taking a break from social media will give you more free time to do the things you love ‒ Spend time with the people you care about and simply relax.
And who doesn't need more of that? So go ahead and disconnect for a while. Enjoy the real world, take a walk, and live in the moment. Your friends will still be there when you come back. It is a Promise!
7. No more headaches ‒ Improve your physical health and wellness
If you're feeling neck pain, headaches, or eye strain, it might be time to take a break from social media. And these symptoms are much more dangerous and alarming than they seem.
That's right - taking some time off from checking Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media apps can actually help improve your physical health.
Similarly, constantly looking down at your phone or computer screen puts a lot of strain on your neck and shoulders. And staring at bright screens for long periods can lead to headaches and eye strain.
So if you're feeling any of these symptoms, it's worth taking a break from social media. Even a few days without scrolling through your feed can make a big difference.
So go ahead and power down your phone and log off your computer ‒ your body will thank you.
Conclusion
Most of us can't imagine life without social media, for better or worse. However, we may employ it in a way that highlights its beneficial aspects, both for ourselves and others if we are more mindful of the time we spend on social media.
So, avoid getting lost in the rabbit hole of algorithms, viral articles, and information overload by learning how to manage your time on social media.
Finally, if used mindfully, with breaks, and in moderation with other pursuits, social media can be a positive outlet for communication and connection. So, after reading this blog post, we hope that taking a break from social media seems like an easy task.
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Crystal Harrell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Crystal Harrell, MS, MPH is a Yale Ph.D. student, certified Academic Success Coach, motivational speaker, and bestselling author of Crystal Clear: A Journey of Self-Discovery (From Public Housing to Ivy League). As a high school senior, Crystal secured over $670,000 in scholarship awards, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship. She has dedicated her work to helping others achieve their academic goals. Through her books and education blog, Crystal’s story has impacted thousands of individuals worldwide and created a push for personal growth in academia. Crystal’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness of our human potential and show that it is possible to rise against all odds and live out your wildest dreams. Learn more about Crystal and her work at www.crystaltharrell.com
