15 Signs You Need a Break from Social Media
By:Aqsa Salam
September 3, 2024
Social media has become key to our daily routines in our hyper-connected world. Whether for work or leisure, we spend endless hours scrolling through our feeds, liking posts, and sharing content. But what happens when social media starts to negatively affect our mental health and well-being?
Although it’s a great way to stay caught up with the latest news, the never-ending flow of information and the pressure to stay updated on everything can start to feel overwhelming. A study showed that those who excessively use social media have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. This can be seen especially among young adults.
Let’s consider 15 clues that it might be time for you to take a break from social media. These points may help you examine your current habits and decide what’s best for your social media use.
1. Constant Comparison
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Scrolling through picture-perfect posts on social media can often lead to unhealthy comparisons. Curated images of others’ seemingly perfect lives can leave you feeling inadequate and disheartened about your own. This constant comparison can erode your self-esteem and negatively impact your mental health.
Research indicates frequent social media use can encourage dissatisfaction and envy, so take some time to pause and remind yourself about your achievements. Appreciate your unique journey without feeling distracted by what others are doing.
2. Feeling Overwhelmed
Are you overwhelmed by the flood of information from
Instagram, Facebook, or X? With so much happening worldwide, it’s easy to feel
like your attention is being stretched thin. Each day brings a barrage of
updates, resolutions, crime stories, new products, business launches, and other
compelling content, fostering a sense of urgency and overwhelm.
This constant influx prevents us from unwinding and relaxing and severely hampers our ability to focus on other tasks. If your phone buzzes incessantly, it might be time for a digital detox.
3. Sleep Disturbances
Have you ever noticed that screen use before bed makes it
hard to fall asleep? It is because the blue light emitted from the screens disturbs your
natural sleep cycle and makes it harder for you to fall and stay asleep. If you
face this issue, it is a clear sign that you need a break.
Reduce your screen time before bed to curb your restless nights. Stop using your phone at least two hours before sleeping, and do not look at or watch any screens as you wind down. Make a relaxing bedtime routine that does not include social media, and you’ll be on your way to a more rejuvenating sleep.
4. Anxiety and Depression
Feeling stressed, anxious, or tired is natural if you spend
much of your day on social media. If this resonates with you, consider taking a
step back. There’s no need to check Instagram when you wake up or obsessively
stalk your work crush during your free time.
Reducing your social media usage can provide a much-needed mental health reset you might not even realize you need.
5. You Feel Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is a common issue made worse
by social media. It’s that anxiety you feel when you think something exciting
or interesting is happening somewhere else, often triggered by seeing posts
about events, activities, or lifestyles you’re not part of.
This nagging worry can make you feel inadequate, restless, and like your experiences don’t measure up. Constantly seeing others’ highlight reels can lead to an endless cycle of checking and rechecking your feeds, hoping to feel connected or included. To beat FOMO, remind yourself that social media only shows a curated version of reality. It’s okay to miss out on some things because what matters most is being present and content on your own journey.
6. You Neglect Real-Life Relationships
Social media feels like it has largely replaced face-to-face
interactions with friends and family. Instead of conversing, we now share reels
and videos without exchanging words. This shift has diminished genuine
interactions with loved ones integral to our emotional and mental well-being.
To counter this, make an effort to spend quality time with your parents, siblings, children, or spouse. Put your phone on silent and keep it away from the table. Investing your time and energy into these relationships can nurture and strengthen your bonds.
7. You are Addicted to Social Media
A feel-good chemical called dopamine is released whenever your brain makes a connection, learns something new, or finds something interesting. While using social media, you’re continuously learning new things, entertained by funny and exciting reels, and feel validated by new followers. This constant release of dopamine through endless scrolling can make you happy but also potentially lead to addiction.
The notifications, auto-play videos, bright colors, sounds, and other appealing features of social media platforms can further contribute to this addiction. When this relationship becomes toxic, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to take a break from your social media accounts.
8. Low Self-Esteem
Seeing those appealing pictures and reels on social media can mess with your mind. You might wonder why someone else has glowing skin while you struggle with yours or why an influencer is so slim and you can’t seem to lose weight. It can feel unfair seeing others appear wealthy and able to buy anything while you’re juggling a limited income and dealing with expenses like taxes and car repairs.
But remember, you haven’t seen the other side of their story. If you start feeling down on yourself, it’s a clear sign that you must step away and take a breather.
9. Lack of Interest in Hobbies
You once read 3-4 books a month, everything from fiction, self-help, general knowledge, or history. Now, finding time for even one book seems impossible. Isn’t that odd? Or remember when you used to garden? You would carve out moments from your busy schedule to tend to your plants, nurturing and talking to them. Today, your plants are drying up and waiting for you, but you are busier than ever.
So, what happened to the old you who was capable and habitual of many things? Undoubtedly, social media has eaten all of your time and left little to no room for your interests and hobbies. Kick this out of your life, grasp ahold of your productive hobbies, and focus on making yourself genuinely happy.
10. Experiencing Eye Strain or Physical Discomfort
Are red eyes, neck pain, and headaches becoming your buddies? If yes, then you probably spend a lot of time watching the screen. The American Optometric Association states that staring at screens all day can cause severe eye strain. You might feel uncomfortable and even have vision issues if you don’t take breaks.
Stepping away from social media can help you reduce screen time, which is excellent for your eyes and makes you feel better overall.
11. Mood Swings
If you notice your mood fluctuating based on your social media use, that’s a sign you might need to take a break. The roller coaster of likes, comments, and shares can overwhelm your emotions and leave you stressed. If your picture does not get many likes or someone comments rudely on the video you posted, it can ruin your mood.
Researchers at Harvard even found that other people’s emotions on social media can influence their mood. So, if all that online drama brings you down, it might be time to log off.
12. Loss of Privacy
If you feel your privacy is compromised or you’re uncomfortable with the amount of personal information shared online, it might be time to reconsider your social media usage. Privacy is a significant concern today due to frequent data breaches and unauthorized account access. A Pew Research Center survey reveals that 81% of Americans feel that they have little control over the data companies collect.
You are the master of what you keep private and what you share. Take charge of your personal life by stepping away from social media and keeping certain parts of your life out of the spotlight.
13. An Urge to Post About Everything
If you upload a picture of your meal first and eat it later, then you need to rethink your situation. The urge to post about every event, life update, achievement, and other daily moments could harm your happiness. If you’ve reached a point where your life feels performative for the sake of your followers, the line between your real life and digital life could be a bit blurred.
If you are in this boat, deactivate or log out of your social media accounts. Try to live an authentic life, it will probably bring you more peace and fulfillment than perfectly crafting your online persona.
14. Neglecting Self-Care
If social media is causing you to neglect self-care activities like exercising, eating well, or relaxing, it’s time to take a break. Prioritizing your well-being is crucial for both your physical and mental health.
Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and other health issues. According to the World Health Organization, self-care is essential for managing and preventing stress.
15. You Spend Money Unnecessarily
Social media can encourage impulse buying through constant exposure to advertisements, influencer endorsements, and targeted content. If you spend money on things you don’t need because of social media influences, it’s time to take a break. Taking a step back can help you reassess your spending habits and make more thoughtful purchasing decisions.
12 Traits of Unsuccessful People Who Never Do Anything with Their Lives
Scared of lagging behind or staying in the same position? Well, let’s talk about it! In this article, we’ll find 12 common traits of unsuccessful people who never do anything with their lives so that you won’t be one of them.
12 Traits of Unsuccessful People Who Never Do Anything with Their Lives
17 Personal Things to Never Share with Anyone
More than half the world is online, so sharing endless information with others seems like the default setting. You log in online, and in a minute, you know where your old high school buddy is holidaying, how much a friend’s wedding ring costs, and you have a virtual tour of your sister-in-law’s friend’s home from room to room.
While sharing some information, whether online or in person, can sometimes be beneficial, certain information should be kept private for your safety.
