Why You Might Need to Take a Break From Social Media

Over the 4^th of July weekend we were able to get together with a small group of my family members for a potluck. We hadn’t done that since March. When we got home my husband and I were talking about how different we felt. Our minds felt clearer. Just talking with real people and interacting with them filled us up in a way that technology never can. My husband and I are introverted people by nature, but we were created to be in fellowship and community with one another. I was reminded of that more than ever!

The world is in a time where we have to social distance and be safe, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a break from social media once in awhile and focus on our real-life relationships. I would encourage everyone to take a social media detox.  Here are some signs you may need a break.

This post is sponsored by Northwest University.

1. You are always reaching for that phone. You check it first thing. You check in last thing. You check it at dinner. You can’t seem to put it down. You get separation anxiety when you are away from it.
2. You can’t go somewhere without posting immediately about it and then spending the entire time watching the online reaction to it. Stay in the moment.
3. You find your mood or attitude is just really negative, your anxiety increasing or your fear levels rising. Reading all those headlines day after day will take its toll.
4. You find your judgement of others rising. Social media has a tendency to lead us to judge and focus on others in a negative way.
5. You are craving human interaction.

Social media has its place and especially in a time like now it is nice to know we have the ability to connect easily and quickly with others. However, don’t believe for one second that social media replaces our need for human interaction. Real, actual, human interaction. Taking a social media break can be a great way to evaluate your priorities and how you are spending your time. It can also be a way to refocus on your self-care and mental health. When you are surrounded day in and day out of posts that are angry, judgmental, and negative it will impact you and how you are feeling. Take the time each week to reach out via phone to people and talk to them. Even if you can’t be with them in person, reach out. Maybe set a coffee date with a friend. Even if you sit in the car wearing masks you can chat and be together. There are ways that we can keep human interaction strong if we are creative.

After your detox, set some boundaries for yourself so that you can develop healthy social media habits.

1. Set daily limits for yourself. After those daily limits, make sure your phone is put away.
2. Hide or unfriend people who are filling your feed with content that is making you feel anxious.
3. Join groups that are positive and encouraging! Groups can be a great way to connect with others who are in your same life stage and have things in common with you.
4. Spend more time reading the Bible and being in God’s Word than you spend on social media. If you don’t have time for quiet time, evaluate where you are spending your time. This will help you focus on what’s most important first.

Honestly, I love social media. It’s a great way to keep in touch with people and see what friends and family are up to near and far. However, human interaction is essential for our well-being! We must make it a priority. Take a break from the screen. Break your addiction with your phone. Make choices that will have a lasting impact on your health. I bet by doing so, your kids will see the choices you are making, and it will rub off on them too. Or, at least we can hope it will!