Social media has ushered in an entirely new way of communicating and connecting with family members, co-workers, friends, and even strangers from around the world. With the advent of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Reddit, billions of users worldwide can instantly connect and communicate with one another.
While social media offers many benefits, it also has some disadvantages. Depending on how you use social media, regular — particularly heavy— usage could lead to varying degrees of despair and loneliness. Some users also suffer from the overwhelming competition online.
Many profiles often feature a “highlight reel” of their “perfect” life. This causes others to feel less valuable and worthy as a person.
Choosing to disconnect from social media could help you to regain your balance and perspective. It could help you stop comparing your life and overall success to the millions of other profiles that are active and online at all times.
Change Your Mindset
To truly succeed at just about anything in life, you will need to believe in yourself. You must change your mindset and attitude accordingly. Disconnecting yourself from social media is no different, especially if you consider your usage of various platforms compulsive or unnecessary most times. Changing and improving your mindset and overall attitude can ultimately mean the difference between failure and success in detoxing from technology and disconnecting yourself from social media.
Create and Stick to a Morning Routine
Creating and sticking to a daily morning routine is highly advisable for anyone, not just those who are finding it difficult to disconnect from social media. Without a daily routine, an individual is much more likely to turn to electronic devices and other distractions, which can quickly lead to addictive behavioral patterns.
Source: ShutterstockSetting a morning routine in place is one of the best ways to stay on track with any goals or objectives. This is particularly important if you already find yourself addicted to tech, the internet, and social media. Avoid reaching for your phone, tablet, or laptop immediately upon waking. Instead, opt for a quick walk, shower, or cup of coffee or tea first.
Avoid Using Your Phone During Work Hours
Always avoid using your phone during regular work hours, even if you work remotely and from your own home. Phones and tablet devices can quickly become distractions and sources of entertainment with thousands of games, conversations, and interesting happenings occurring at the same time. Instead of reaching for your phone during work hours, consider catching up on some emails or diving into another personal project you have in mind. Avoid using your phone during work hours to maximize your overall productivity and workplace efficiency, even if you are doing so from home.
Disconnect Before Bed
Before heading to bed each night, disconnect from social media. Do not keep your phone near your bed or inside your bedroom, if possible. It is advisable to disconnect from smartphones and social media before going to bed. Furthermore, it is also advisable to steer clear of accessing any technology or electronics before attempting to sleep.
When using technology, apps, and social media right before bed, you’re more likely to experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Always avoid getting on social media platforms before heading to bed to avoid disrupting your evening routine.
Use Apps and Tools to Track Your Time and Productivity
Source: ShutterstockConsider using a variety of apps and downloadable tools to helptrack your time and manage your overall workplace productivity. Various solutions and tools, such as the Pomodoro method can help you to keep better track of your time without allowing yourself to fall for potential distractions or to get sidetracked with your very own social media accounts and pages.
Charge Your Electronics Away From Your Bedroom
Keeping your smartphone, tablet, and other electronics plugged in and charged at all times is essential for maximum productivity and overall efficiency. However, it is just as essential to keep your electronics away from your bedroom or any area of your home where you rest and sleep.
Keeping electronics and phones away from your bedroom is one of the easiest ways to create a peaceful and electronic-free sanctuary in your home. Consider not charging your electronic devices in your bedroom, so you’re not tempted to use them at night.
Schedule Your Social Media Time
One way to disconnect from social media without deleting your profiles is to schedule when you can browse and engage on any platforms. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re on social media. Therefore, having a schedule sets your expectations on how long you could be on social per day.
Source: ShutterstockOpting to schedule the time you spend on social media is a way to alleviate the pressures of keeping a conversation ongoing. This is particularly important when you’re at work or have unfinished tasks at home. Setting limit to your time social media usage can also help you focus on other aspects of your life, like your business or household.
Explore New Hobbies and Skills
Building a new skill or diving into new hobbies are other ways to avoid the overuse of social media while allowing you to disconnect with minimal sacrifice. When you are busy with a new hobby or skill, you are less likely to experience “FOMO,” or the Fear of Missing Out.
Taking the time to truly assess your own need for social media can come in handy when you’re making meaningful changes in your life. Once you understand the role of social media in your life, you’d be able to maximize it without feeling the need to be online all the time.
