I think we’ve all been there: scrolling through feeds and checking notifications more than we’d like to admit. Seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into hours. Before we notice it, we just spent a whole day on our phones. Social media is a huge part of our daily life. But, what if we just... stopped for a week? In an age informed by rapid and, sometimes, overwhelming change, where social media seems to interweave with nearly every aspect of our daily existence, the thought of disconnecting from it all, even for a week, sounds intimidating. But, are we really ready to take that leap? Should we weigh the risks of losing something against what we might gain? Would you be willing to find out?
Here’s what I expect, potential benefits, and why we should consider just going for it.
How much time do we spend online?
Latest studies indicate that an average person spends 6 hours and 40 minutes per day on a screen connected to the internet. That’s nearly a full day of classes - or a really long study session spent on a screen.
Why Should I Consider This Challenge?
Social media is what keeps us entertained and connected with the world; however, it is one of our biggest distractions in our daily routines. It’s easy to get caught up in endless scrolling instead of focusing on important tasks. Megan Meeks, from the WVC Women's Soccer team shared her experience.
“Social media does make me distracted. For example, when I need to get up and be productive, I get stuck scrolling on TikTok, liking Instagram posts, and it puts me in a trance that sometimes is really hard to get out of.”
This highlights how social media can pull us away from being productive without us even realizing it.
Beyond just being a distraction, social media can also be a source of negativity. Katie McCombie, also from the WVC Women's Soccer team, pointed out.
"Social media has had a negative impact on me as I think this is how rumors start and spread. Also, it's very distracting because people will stay up all night just sitting on their phones instead of sleeping. It also causes a massive distraction in school as well."
Being so invested in social media can have negative effects on our mental health, privacy and even relationships. It can increase depression, anxiety and damage our self-esteem, making us feel bad about ourselves by only seeing the best parts of other’s lives. It can also affect our privacy. Some social platforms collect personal information from people which can lead to privacy breaches. And, finally, social media can affect our relationships. It can lead to isolation from the real world which can lead to loneliness.
Although there are negative impacts of spending so much time on social networks, if you consider putting aside your cell phone screen, this could also bring you great benefits such as reducing anxiety and depression. Taking time from social networks can bring more peace and tranquility. It can also help you have a better sleeping pattern. Let's be honest, who doesn't watch TikTok before going to sleep? I do. But, that doesn't mean it's good. Excessive use of social media, especially before bed, can disrupt sleep causing irritation and less productivity during the day. And speaking of productivity, according to RESEST Health Group, leaving social media can increase our productivity. Without the distraction of social networks, you can concentrate better on your work, studies, or hobbies.
What Can I Do Instead of scrolling?
There are a bunch of activities that we can use instead of spending a great part of our time stuck on our screens. To make the challenge work, here are some ideas you could try that The Good Trade recommends:
Journal
A researched published by Essay Nuggets found that the act of putting in words your thoughts on paper can help to release pent-up emotions, making it safe for reducing stress and negative experiences. Journaling can also help to identify root causes of problems allowing you to come to solutions, better understanding, and a way to process experiences. And, finally, journaling can help setting goals and provide you motivation and accountability.
Workout
This is a good way to get your body moving, and it can provide benefits such as improved mood and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, fatigue, pain, increased thinking and cognition, and better sleep.
Read a book
Reading is also a great way to spend your day and bring you benefits. You can boost your intelligence, improve your vocabulary and learn new words, and you can even understand and empathize with people.
Cook
According to "Foodal," cooking has a lo of benefits.
I’m somebody who loves to cook. I have learned that it is a great stress reliever. It can intervene as a therapy and improve your mental health, and it can increase your social connection and create bonds. I
Can I Actually Do It?
It is going to be hard at first; FOMO is going to hit hard. I’m not gonna lie. Taking a break from social media might seem difficult, but even a short break can bring surprising benefits. So, I challenge you. Try a one-week social detox. See how it affects your focus, mood, and sleep.
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