SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX: IS IT WORTH A TRY?

Detox. Abstinence. Hitting the "pause" button. Taking a break.

Can such a thing truly be done with social media? Aren't we all so interconnected these days? Isn't it the norm to be on your phone all day?

Well, social media isn't actually bad in itself. It provides platforms for us to share information, to keep in touch in those we haven't seen in a while, to be part of a virtual community filled with people from the same school, neighbourhood or city. And – let's not forget the fact that it's FUN to use.

However, the problem lies when you overuse it. If you happen to be one of those who truly moderates their social media activity well, that's great. But if you – like many others – have at times felt anxious, overwhelmed or downright exhausted after scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed, you'll want to consider pulling the plug temporarily.

Signs That You Need A Social Media Detox

These common signs may indicate that you've gone on social media overdrive:

#1 – You Constantly Worry About "Pleasing" Others

Kelsey Patel, who works as a spiritual coach and reiki master, describes this as feeling "like you need to buy things, go places, and change your life or surroundings" for the sake of your reputation online. Ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I feel bad or insecure while browsing other people's social media content?

• Do I catch myself feeling upset, annoyed or even jealous in reaction to someone else's status or photo?

• Do I get triggered or bothered by the comments, opinions and number of likes for one post after another? • Do I compare my life with others' lives based on what they project online?

#2 – You Take Too Long Just To Publish Your Own Content

Kelsey goes on to mention that if you "spend more than 30 minutes getting a post 'ready' [...] unless it's a really long post, you're probably overthinking it." Indeed, she has a point considering how quick it is to upload a smartphone picture, or how a new Facebook status takes 1-2 clicks to produce.

What could be the reason? Is it the stress about what feedback a post is going to receive? How popular it may or may not be? The fact that it's not coming from your real, authentic voice – but you think your true self isn't as appealing? Such reasons can be realised quite easily, but they're kind of hard to admit.

#3 – You Always Crave To Go Online Throughout The Day

Have you caught yourself waking up, and the first action you automatically do is grab your phone? And the followed by 20-30 minutes of using all your social media accounts?

Sarah Winfrey, a contributor at Wise Bread, says it's a clear sign that you're addicted to social media if "you feel anxious when you're not scrolling." During those moments in the day when you aren't online, do you wish you were? Do you wonder what everybody else is doing that you're missing out on? Or is it a crazy feeling to not be using social media right here and right now?

#4 – Your Social Media Activity Has Made You Less Productive

In other words, this is a case of all play, no work. You might be working a nine-to-five job and every hour, your mind drifts away from the task – whatever it is you're paid to be doing – while your hand starts reaching for your phone.

Still, this problem is perhaps more common among students. Knowing in the back of your head what the deadlines are, knowing that you can accomplish something by the last minute – it's no surprise that social media causes kids to be less productive in school. As Sarah points out, "if social media is interfering with your productivity, or your to-do list never gets done", which can come back to bite you later on.

#5 – Your Social Media Activity Has Made You Unsociable (In The Real World)

That's right. It's a widespread idea that, because of how consumed we get by social media usage, we're no longer as good being "social" the traditional way. Have your eyes ever been glued to your smartphone the whole time during a dinner – when you're supposed to engage in conversation with people in front of you?

Have you ever felt like staying home all weekend, checking the latest Tweets for the dozens of hashtags you follow, or the latest Instagram photos from those 100+ users you follow, instead of seeing your friends? How many of us are guilty of that?

Once again, social media itself isn't bad. It does have a place in our lives, but not to the point that it replaces our time for real-life, in-the-flesh interactions. When Kelsey Patel underwent a 50-day social media detox – encouraged by nobody but herself – she discovered firsthand how unhealthy her "relationship was to social media", and she got to objectively see what value that social media brought in her life. "Before the detox, I loved waking up and going onto social media, when I was at stop signs I would take a quick peek at it, as I got ready for bed I would endlessly scroll for at least 30 minutes." Thanks to the detox, she learnt to always use social media with purpose and clarity, and to not have it spoil the other meaningful parts of her life.

Try This Method Of Social Media Detox

In terms of a social media detox, Larissa Martin is one person who's been there and done that. She actually made this detox challenge with her local community group – named Youth Changing the World – hoping to "reconnect with each other".

These were the rules they had to strictly follow:

1. No social media usage for 3 whole days.

2. Everyone would have to call each other up to make plans or meet in person.

3. For each of the 3 days, everyone would either call or write to 3 family members or friends whom they lost touch with.

Larissa believes in the aftermath, the movement was successful and "seemed to solidify connections" for the next couple of years. So honestly, as daunting as it may seem, why not give this a try? What's the worst that could happen: missing out on dozens of filtered selfies on Instagram, or not getting to share on Facebook the dinners you recently had? See, you get the point.

Make These Changes When You're Reconnected

If you do embark on that detoxification journey, once you're done and ready to return to normal routines, you can expect to look at social media differently. Also, you might want to follow these tips from freelance writer Kate Ferguson on how to moderate your social media activity:

1. Turn off your notifications. Free yourself from those frequent distractions that come from your phone lighting up every minute.

2. Do NOT take your devices to bed. Note that studies have shown the light on your phone can actually disrupt a good night's sleep.

3. Put away your phone when you're having a meal with others. Dinners with friends and family members are social events, not just moments to eat and mind your own business.

4. Never mix your social media activity with work. That means being self-disciplined, with zero tolerance for a second of social media in the workplace (even while you're on a bathroom break).

5. Stop oversharing. The funny things your friends say or the faces your pet makes don't always have to be broadcasted on any given day. Maintain some degree of mystery about your daily life.

6. Get up, get out and get active. That means taking a hike, going on a weekend trip somewhere (ideally without 24/7 internet access), and if you're bold enough, leaving your smartphone at home. Ever considered getting one of those old-school flip phones to take with you on a short trip?

Remember: social media is supposed to be under your control, not the other way around. Going through a detox should help you re-learn that valuable lesson.

References:

• Ferguson, K 'How to Detox From Social Media Without Losing Your Mind', n.d., Bolde, blog post, viewed 2 October 2018, <https://www.bolde.com/how-to-detox-from-social-media-without-losing-your-mind/>.

• Martin, L 2018 'The Social Media Detox Challenge You And Your Friends Need To Try', Unwritten, blog post, 19 June, viewed 2 October 2018, < https://www.readunwritten.com/2018/06/19/social-media-detox-challenge-need-try/>.

• Patel, K '5 Signs You Need A Social Media Detox, Stat', n.d., Mindbodygreen, blog post, viewed 2 October 2018, <https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/signs-you-need-a-social-media-detox>.

• Winfrey, S 2018 '8 Signs You Need a Social Media Detox', Wise Bread, blog post, 18 June, viewed 2 October 2018, <https://www.wisebread.com/8-signs-you-need-a-social-media-detox>.

Images:

• Romelo, Y, Person holding turned off black smartphone, photograph, n.d., viewed 3 October 2018, <https://unsplash.com/photos/Ly6XMmiFXIM>.

• Zakharyak, M, Black and silver laptop computer beside smartphone, photograph, n.d., viewed 3 October 2018, <https://unsplash.com/photos/6VBRu8jR8to>.