Let's talk about that much-needed social media break that relieves us in so many ways! I'm listing 5 benefits of taking a step back from all the daily buzz.
By this point...
We are well aware of the mental health benefits from taking social media breaks. Whether that break is momentarily or permanently, that is up to your and your needs and ultimately the outcomes of stepping back in the first place!
Recently, I took a larger social media break than I would typically. For about 3 weeks, I decided to place my phone down to focus on personal development and career growth. My anxiety has escalated quite a bit from being so disconnected; however, my standards and self-criticism has softened noticeably. The anxiety may also be stemming from the fact I am facing my challenges instead of using my screen as an avoidance mechanism (#LNT real quick).
The outcome for my mental health and personal development, overall, was a success. I have plans set and in action with my partner and a lot of exciting opportunities on the horizon because of my decision to rest from social media. That being said, it does feel amazing to be back to apply the ideas my creative mind made during that time for everyone following!
I use my story as an example of how flexible a social media break can truly be. Let's normalize that there is no perfect way to step back from society while also normalizing the need to do it, period. I hope, this article inspires you to take care of your needs and recharge for a bit!
5 Health Benefits of a Social Media Break
1. Time to reflect on your present identity, goals, and fulfillment.
This is precious time untouched by any external influences that could impact your life choices. With the flooding of opinions, criticisms, and bias information on platforms, we can become influenced by these factors and ultimately fall off track from our life purpose.
Ask yourself during your social media break:
Am I feeling happy? Why or why not?
Am I feeling fulfilled in all areas of my life? What needs to change to feel this?
What are the authentic parts of my identity?
Use journaling, vision boards, recordings, poetry, visual art; anything to reflect during this time!
2. Less feeling stimulated or overstimulated through your day.
With the constant pings, dings, beeps, notifying our screens we receive A LOT of overstimulating content. Our sense are working 24/7 offering feedback loops on information being internalized, processed, and put back out into the world. For a lot of mental health conditions such as anxiety, trauma, ADHD, ASD, etc., can feel overstimulated leading to emotional states escalating, fuzzy thinking, rumination, somatic symptoms, social difficulties, and more.
Taking a break allows our minds to exhale from the constant overload!
3. Time to reconnect with authentic relationships in your life.
Without the urge or need to tend to social media needs, you have time to reach out to relationships that may feel distant due to the business. Use the time you would be doom scrolling to communicate with authentic connections to fulfill that social purpose humans have as a primary affect. That means we are biologically wired to nourish safe, lasting relationships with smaller communities so everyone feels they matter.
Social media has set society quite far from the retro days of small community and relationship building with the amount of networking open to everyone, constantly. Ask yourself who would be there for you at the lowest felt point in your life with compassion and support, list names, and start there!
4. Increase your productivity.
FINALLY, you have time to get to those tasks and goals you've been distracted from! First of all, I'm normalizing this because humans do this for so many personal reasons. There is genuinely zero sense in beating yourself up for avoiding priorities. Ask yourself what barriers (thoughts, emotions, circumstances) are in the way and what you need to move forward.
Take it task-by-task, though. The goal is to alleviate stress by accomplishing what we can during a time when rest is also needed. If your productivity falls within a social media brand or influencer presence, then know that your followers will appreciate you modeling healthy choices for yourself.
5. Neutralize negative, unrealistic expectations of yourself.
By this, I mean you can use this time to heal any damaging body image content that has been escalating any mental health problems. Jumping into "body positivity" isn't the best idea, either, if you aren't ready for that leap.
Begin by separating yourself from models, influencers, and those promoting unhealthy physiques, wellness expectations, and beauty standards. The accounts that enables these unhealthy standards, I encoruage you consider deleting or restricting. Set healthy boundaries and keep following accounts that make you feel good enough in you own skin!
Nobody is going to be perfect, hence the entire point of this blog! Follow those who #influencebeinghuman like Selena Gomez! Practice allowing yourself to appreciate the neutral ways our bodies and minds take care of our survival needs on a daily basis and celebrate it by meeting basic needs and letting go of harsh critiques.
We only get older anyways, why waste the precious fleeting seconds of your youth hating yourself?
Conclusion...
Take a break from social media is you're feeling the need and urge to. Do it for the mental clarity, reboot, and self-development and bask in the benefits when and if you're ready to return to the chaotic world of social media content. Remember how positive the benefits are for when you need a break again, because you will. When that time comes, meet yourself with compassion, darling!
Author: Ashley Lynn Simon, MS, NASM PT | Founder of LNT
What was I listening to while writing this post?
1.) Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
2.) Imported Couches by Larry June
3.) 99 boys by EMELINE
4.) The Kill by Maggie Rogers
5.) L o s e M y M i n d by PARTYNEXTDOOR
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