J
When was the last time you fell asleep without clutching your phone? When was the last time you went out for food with your friends without posting a picture on Instagram? Social media has transformed the way we live, and although it’s fun and keeps us entertained, it can be damaging, too.
Spending too much time snapping and flicking through Facebook is known to be detrimental to your mental health, and because of this, some people are experimenting with social media detoxes.
Below, we’ve put together five ways to cut down on the amount of time you spend on social media.
1. Uninstall the apps
We know, we know. Social media apps take up the majority of your home screen, but removing them from your smartphone can encourage you to step away from the sites themselves. If you’ve got a routine of checking out Twitter and Facebook before you get out of bed on a morning, then removing the apps from your phone will prevent you from doing it. And, when you’re out at work or at college, you’ll be less tempted to update your status or send your friends a Snapchat.
2. Tell everyone you know
Letting people know that you’re going on a social media detox will make you more likely to succeed. You might decide that you want to keep your social media messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and remove everything else, or you may want to go cold turkey and resort to iMessage and WhatsApp. Give your friends the heads up that you’re taking a break and they’ll know to message you elsewhere.
3. Deactivate your account
If you’re really serious about taking a break from media, then deactivating your account could be the way to go. Facebook and Twitter allow you to temporarily remove your account from the internet, and the good news is that once you return, all of your messages and posts will remain. It’s important to note, though, that if you don’t log in for more than thirty days, your content will be gone for good. Make sure you’re happy with losing years of photographs and memories before you do it.
4. Stay busy
The majority of the time, we use social media to fill time and keep us entertained when we’re out and about or sat at home. If you’re busy and fulfilled, however, you’ll be less likely to rely on social media to keep you stimulated. Read books, binge a new show on Netflix, do some work or go for a walk – the possibilities are endless, and you’ll soon see there’s a whole world without Facebook.
5. Get sponsored
If you’re a true social addict and want to take a break, then consider quitting for charity and asking friends and family to sponsor you. Let the world know that you’re going to have a week without social media (by posting about it on social media, of course) and ask for donations to your favourite charity. You’ll be less likely to crumble if you know you’re abstaining for a good cause.
Are you thinking about a media detox? Let us know in the comments below.
