How to Have a Social Media Detox

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A social media detox probably sounds either very refreshing and necessary or sounds like something you would never ever want to attempt.

No matter what your thoughts are, there are lots of benefits to taking time away from social media.

A social media detox (or spending any time unplugged) allows for more breathing room in your life.

It can boost your productivity, gives you time to focus on yourself, and eliminate any stress caused by social media.

A social media detox is something you can do for a few hours a day, one day each week, or even for long stretches of time.

When you return to social media, you will feel calmer, more focused, and refreshed.

Here are some ways how you can have a social media detox.

Determine the length of time that your detox will last

Just stating you are going to “go on social media less” is not a specific enough goal.

You need to be extremely clear about your intentions with the detox.

Are you making a plan to turn off your phone during the work day other than while you are eating lunch?

Are you taking a social media detox on Sundays each week?

Create a plan for how long your detox will be so that there is a clear end goal.

This will make it easier for you to stay focused and feel like you can get through the detox successfully.

Start small and go up from there

If you are glued to your phone all day every day, then a week-long social media detox probably sounds nearly impossible for you.

Our dependence on our phones and social media was built over years and years, so it will not be broken in a day.

Instead of starting with large chunks of time, start small.

Try taking a social media detox for a few hours at a time instead of for a few days at a time.

Once you master the smaller chunks of time, you will be able to transition into longer periods of time.

Related Reads:

• 12 Habits That Are Making You Less Productive
• 8 Things You Should Never Do in the Morning
• How to Be Mindful Throughout the Day
• 8 Ways to Have a Healthier Relationship with Social Media

Eliminate the distraction of your phone and/or social media

The easiest way to eliminate a bad habit is to eliminate the distraction.

Saying you won’t go on social media for an hour can be tough if your phone is within eyesight, dinging every time someone comments on your Instagram photo.

So, what can you do about this? Get rid of the distraction altogether!

Turning off your phone and placing it in another room, out of eyesight, is the most effective approach.

If you have to keep your phone on for work or family reasons, then you can always delete the distracting apps, turn off notifications, set time limits for your frequently-used social media apps.

By minimizing the distraction, you are making it easier on yourself to stay off of social media.

Have a deep reason for why you would like to have a social media detox

Determine why you want to have a social media detox, for a reason other than just doing one for the sake of it.

Some people like to advertise they are taking time away from social media, you really don’t need to announce this.

Your why has to be stronger than any urge to look at your phone, which is a habit that is so ingrained in us.

Maybe your why is so you can accomplish XYZ in your business or be a more present parent.

Use this why to motivate you whenever you feel the need to break your detox.

Have a set activity planned during your social media detox

How do you plan on filling the time typically occupied by mindless scrolling?

If you don’t have planned activities in place, then there is a good chance you will turn to scroll because you are bored.

For example, if Sundays are your social media detox days, then perhaps you plan on filling that time with cleaning the house, having brunch with friends, going for a walk, and meal-prepping for the week.

These planned activities will serve as new distractions for you so that you do not feel the need to check your phone.

Choose activities that hold your attention and that you enjoy, as much as possible.

Whenever you feel the urge to use social media, acknowledge and question it, then let it go

We are so used to scrolling on our phones without actively thinking, “I am going to pick up my phone and scroll on social media now”.

If you feel that urge to check your phone, first acknowledge and question it. Ask yourself why you feel the desire to go on social media.

Are you bored?

Do you feel awkward standing alone in the grocery store line or eating alone at a restaurant?

Are you genuinely concerned about what your classmate from high school is doing?

Be aware of why you feel the need to check your phone, and then let that desire go.

Replace the habit of checking your phone with a positive habit

9 times out of 10, social media is just a habit.

Most of the time, we find ourselves mindlessly scrolling without a valid end goal or reason for the scroll.

It is a way to fill any free time, and it never really accomplishes anything for us.

See if you can replace the urge to check your phone with a positive habit, like taking a deep breath.

For example, every time you reach for your phone, replace that act with a deep breath or another positive habit that serves you.

Celebrate when you successfully complete a social media detox

Remember the length of time you came up with for your detox?

Once you successfully complete your detox for that length of time, be sure to celebrate!

A social media detox in today’s world is no easy feat, especially if you have to be on social media a lot for your job.

Therefore, completing one is absolutely something to be celebrated!

Final Thoughts

As with anything else in life, a social media detox requires a solid plan and effort.

If you are able to eliminate the temptation and distraction that social media causes, you can reap the rewards that a detox presents.

Hopefully, you are able to come out on the other side of your detox with a clearer mind and a calmer heart.

Keep these tips with you so you can have a social media detox that leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed!