During a pandemic, political upheaval or other stressful world situation, the decision to take time off from social media can be more challenging than meets the eye. On the one hand, you may feel an overwhelming weight from the onslaught of information that can often be too much to bear. Perhaps your brain is at capacity. On the other hand, there can be a sense of obligation to be present and not miss anything or show people where you stand — to be a voice of support.
However, no matter how strong the obligation may feel to stay, remaining on social media when you’re not accurately absorbing information or contributing anything new to the conversation isn’t beneficial for you, or even those who follow you. When you’re not fully present and mindful, remaining on social media will do nothing more than cause stress — which nobody needs, especially right now.
You might be noticing some changes in your demeanor with the recent situations, and social media may play a role in that. It can be hard to say goodbye, even if it’s only temporary. Still, taking a breather from the social realm can help your mental health, allow you to use your time more productively and position yourself as a better ally for causes you believe in.
Reduce Stress
The constant flow of information can begin to feel overwhelming and repetitive after a while. What’s more, the situations of the world can start to create feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness.
In cases like global pandemics or natural disasters, there’s only so much a person can do. Removing that constant flow of information for a little while can reduce the stress and exhaustion social media can bring.
Develop Connections
Taking time off from social media might feel like it will deprive you of connection and social interaction with others, but in reality, it does the opposite. While social media allows you to view others’ lives and “like” things they’re posting, you’re not interacting on a personal level. Logging off encourages you to reach out and engage with others to find deeper connections.
Even if you’re social distancing, you can find ways to connect with loved ones. Video chats, phone calls, online book clubs and spending time with those in your household can provide a more conscious social diet.
Consume Consciously
When you’re not constantly watching your Facebook feed or Twitter timeline for updates on the world’s various events, you must actively choose to consume news media, such as by turning on the news or reading the paper. While it’s important to be a well-informed citizen, the media doesn’t have to command your every moment. You have a personal life, too.
Taking a week — or month or however long you choose — away from the news won’t end the world. When you return to it, you might even have access to a better scope of the situations at hand than before.
Participate Actively
When it comes to politics and causes you care about, social media makes it easy to feel like posting about your beliefs is all you need to do to create change. While using your voice online is undoubtedly part of the equation, there are so many other pieces to the puzzle.
When you can no longer post about your beliefs, will you call your senators? Will you donate money? Will you volunteer? You can do so much more than like, share and post.
Increase Satisfaction
Unfortunately, social media can often be a cause of unrealistic expectations and images that don’t portray reality. Social media can worsen depression in addition to heightening stress and feelings of loneliness.
While those sites can be addicting, and it can be difficult to tear yourself away, taking some time off can boost your overall life satisfaction and help you feel happier and more in control.
Log Out of Social Media More Often
You don’t have to give up social media forever. In fact, taking periodic breaks is healthy regardless of the world situation.
Our brains need rest time to recover from the social internet so that they can develop and continue to function properly and happily.
You can unplug and come back when the time is right, whenever that might be.
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