Effective Social Media Detox Strategies to Do
Improve your life with a digital detox using one or all three of these effective social media detox strategies. Live your life outside the frame of a phone screen.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
In the past decade, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. While it has certainly brought people closer together, it has also been the source of many problems. From cyberbullying to addiction, social media has been linked to a range of negative effects on mental health.
Many studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. This is because social media often presents a distorted view of reality, with people only sharing the highlights of their lives. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a sense of missing out on life.
If you are looking to take a break from social media, a detox might be just what you need. By taking a break from social media, you can focus on other aspects of your life, such as spending time with friends and family, pursuing hobbies, and engaging in self-care. It can be difficult to break the habit of checking social media, but the benefits of a detox can be significant.
After a quick Google search of ‘how often do people check their phones’, the 2019 articles say most Americans pick up their phones 96 times a day. This number increased to 160 times a day in 2020 and 296 times a day in 2021 (that’s once every 5 and a half minutes!). Although these are American-based studies, the rest of us in the world are likely no different.
Going Cold Turkey Social Media Detox Strategy
Deactivate your accounts
Uninstall the social media apps on your phone
Block the websites or remove bookmarks on your computer
Find a different activity to fill your time
Colour in, get a word search or puzzle or Sudoku book. Read more. Draw more. Try knitting and embroidery. Level up your cooking skills by learning and trying new recipes, new cuisines. Take online courses that empower and develop you and your future. Create a budget and get to know your finances. Spend time identifying your goals. Journal with prompts. Create a home spiritual altar. Practice moon rituals. Honestly, anything. And also sitting alone in silence and being bored is also normal and can be embraced. Be imaginative. Spark creativity.
Bonus tip: Do the detox with a buddy
Limiting Time Social Media Break Idea
Monday: Clean Up and Clear Out
Unfollow or mute profiles and content that are uninspiring, bring up negative thoughts and feelings, and are no longer aligned with where you’re at presently.
Unsubscribe from email lists that no longer serve you and you don’t bother reading anymore.
Reorganise your home page – don’t have the apps visible as you open your phone.
Tuesday: Unplugged Morning Start and Evening End
Don’t look at your phone for the first two hours and the last two hours of your day.
Wednesday: Phone Free Morning
Don’t look at your phone until lunch. Answer calls but no social media.
Thursday: No Notifications
Silence notifications from social media apps. You do not need to check a like or respond to a comment within 2 minutes of receiving it.
Set do not disturb hours where notifications will automatically be silenced between those hours.
Honestly try to keep this setting as your new normal.
Friday: Phone Free Evening
No posting. No liking. Just living.
Saturday: Set App Limits
Set time limits on apps that are taking too much of your time.
Sunday: Unplug to Recharge
Unplug from your phone to recharge yourself. Switch off your phone or put it on silent.
Boundary Setting Social Media Detox Strategy
Set the boundary with family and friends:
When it comes to responding, simply say: I won’t respond to messages before this time nor after this time. If it’s important, call me.
When it comes to phone-acceptable spaces, simply say: No phones at tables and beds.
Meal time means quality time. It’s a small part of your day to talk to those in your household. Bedtime means quality time and pillow talk. It’s the closing of your day, it sets your next day, and it influences your dreams. Talk. Cuddle. Read. There are two people in your room, don’t invite another 100 people into a sacred space.
Why Bother Social Media Detoxing?
While social media has its advantages like connecting with friends and family, networking, and learning about new things, it can also have negative effects on our mental health. This is why many people choose to detox from social media from time to time.
Ask yourself why you can’t live without it. Are you seeking validation? Are you trying to fill something? Loneliness, being alone in public, silence. Are you worried you’ll miss out on what people are doing and where they’re going? Call or text them and rekindle a connection that’s deeper than an emoji reaction to an Instagram story.
In a world run by social media, it's hard to find some balance. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Overall, social media detoxing can be beneficial for our mental and emotional well-being. It can help to reduce stress, improve productivity, and allow us to focus on the things that truly matter in our lives. Whether you choose to take a short break or a longer one, social media detoxing can help you to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
This is your sign to take a social media break. Try the different social media detox strategies to see what works for you.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to the world. Written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life, this blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards.
Jordan
Affirmation: I value myself and my time.
Word of the Day: Addiction (n) the condition of being unable to stop using or doing something as a habit, especially something harmful.
Exercise: Have a phone free morning.
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