I’m guilty of using social media excessively. I know that it isn’t good for me because, at the times when I’m most stressed, I tend to shy away from using social media altogether. While this may not be the norm for everyone (I’ve been managing anxiety for over twenty years and this tends to be one of my unhealthy coping mechanisms) I think there is a takeaway here for everyone as it relates to taking breaks from social media.
Approximately one year ago I was struggling to manage my anxiety, and I felt myself pulling away from others in a very significant way. I wasn’t myself; I was focusing on all of the wrong things to help manage what I was going through. From binge-watching Instagram stories to consuming all my news via Snapchat, I was fully stuck “living” in the lives of others, much in the way I would feel as a child when I was immersed in a brand-new book. It was then it hit me; I made the conscious decision to take a break from posting on social media, to stop focusing my attention on others, and to turn my attention inward.
First hand, I can tell you that disconnecting—even for an hour a day—was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my mental health. And, while I didn’t realize it when I was wrapped up in caring for myself first, I now no longer believe I’m alone in thinking this way.
Why Taking Breaks from Social Media Can Help You, Too
The amount of time I spend online professionally is significant; at times I feel as though I can’t “disconnect” for more than 5 minutes. This isn’t unique to me as a marketer, especially now that we’re all working from home indefinitely. It’s way too easy to go from email to Facebook to Pinterest, only to realize in the blink of an eye that a full hour has passed.
Originally, I thought I was doing myself a favor by “staying connected” all the time. Social media is fun and provides instant gratification, and I thought this distraction was “helping me decompress”. Boy was I wrong… that coupled with the number of articles I’ve read about depression and social media use and I figured it was high time to start auditing my personal usage.
In the first week of my audit, I averaged 3+ hours of screen time per day, half of which was spent on social media. That was down 53% from the week prior. I repeat a 53% decrease simply from being cognizant of how much time I was scrolling through the gram, man!
According to Pew Research, 26% of Americans claim to be online almost constantly! I’m no doctor, but it seems obvious to me that the increased number of cases of mental health disorders we have seen in the last decade is tied in some way to the advent of social media (and the constant social pressure to “be connected” and look like an influencer-model).
The Impact of Being “Connected” through Social Media
While technology has allowed us the chance to connect millions of people globally, it has also lead to consequences I believe we aren’t fully equipped to manage (yet). From online bullying to increased cases of depression, the impact of social media addiction is sweeping our youth, and it’s damaging the minds and psyches of our young professionals.
As someone who ran an Instagram video series for the year prior to my “social sabbatical” I don’t mean to assert that social media is inherently bad. On the contrary, it can be a great vehicle to connect old friends or help a company promote thought-leadership based content. I just think that we all need to stop “using” so much and give ourselves a mental break.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found that:
People who limited their social media use to 30 minutes felt significantly better after [a] three-week period, reporting reduced depression and loneliness, especially those who came into the study with higher levels of depression.
In order for us to be well-rounded, well-socialized individuals, who are equipped to have digital conversations effectively, we must learn how to balance our reliance on the internet with other methods of information gathering. And now more than ever in the face of COVID-19, when we are all turning to the internet for news, information, and some comic relief, it’s going to be harder than ever to “disconnect”.
I encourage any and all of you who are feeling stressed over home-confinement to try putting down your phone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work (and homework), I challenge you to try not to check Instagram as often. It may be hard at first, but it will be the best thing you can do to boost your mental health during this challenging time. Plus—just think what you can accomplish with all that extra time on your hands?
Stay safe and healthy, my friends. And, if you feel like you need some support, feel free to reach out to me at any time at erinridesthebus@gmail.com.
Erin Rides the Bus 