Benefits of a Social Media Detox

Social media is a dominant aspect of millions of people's lives, with the average user scrolling on their favorite social media apps and sites a minimum of 1 hour and 40 minutes daily. Although many businesses utilize social media for advertising and marketing, the prolonged usage of the average person speaks volumes about today's social culture. Listed below are the reasons why a social media detox benefits mental health and quality of life.

• A detox helps you stop comparing yourself to everyone else.

According to scientists, most social media users subconsciously compare their lives to others they know, implicating severe limitations of self-esteem. In the long term, this may even lead to severe depression. For example, isolation and loneliness may arise if you are single and see several social media friends getting married or having children. Furthermore, comparing yourself to others may lead to F.O.M.O, or 'fear of missing out.'

• It also helps break the cycle of F.O.M.O.

As mentioned by Computer World, the addictive nature of crack cocaine, for example, is engineered in prolonged social media use. Staying away from social media causes withdrawal symptoms shortly after. This results from the fear of missing out naturally hardwired into humans. After a detox, users can manage this effect by visiting social media sites once daily for a set amount of time.

• You learn to get in touch with the real world again.

This is a common issue for introverts with social anxiety who turn to frequent social media usage. These individuals often report feelings of loneliness and isolation in real life. They are also less likely to have a strong immune system. Thankfully, going out and about more often is an easy way to strengthen your immune system. If traveling alone is preferred, visiting parks and restaurants are excellent choices, as well as movies or concerts depending on the crowd size. In addition, exploring new places is a perfect opportunity to meet new people and pick up new hobbies.

• You have more free time to be productive and enjoy life.

Staying away from social media will free up about 2 hours of your daily time, which you can refocus on being productive. For example, you can incorporate a 30-minute walk into your everyday life, providing physical and mental health benefits. Or you can organize your home, which is an efficient stress reliever. In the long run, living an active lifestyle encourages responsibility and improves time management.

• Enjoy living for the moment and higher quality experiences.

It's no surprise that people enjoy sharing special moments on social media, which helps document their life. However, this may become a problematic habit, taking you away from living in the moment. For example, there have been cases of newlyweds sharing wedding posts on Facebook and Twitter while still at the altar. As a result, living your life through social media will result in less memorable and poorer quality experiences.